RAFAEL: 

OR, 

THE  TWICE  CONDEMNED. 


21  (Tale  of  Keg  lUest. 


BY  PROFESSOR  INGRAHAM. 

[Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1845,  by  H.  L.  Williams,  in  the 
Clerk’s  office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 

CHAPTER  I. 


THE  ARMED  SCHOONER. 

It  was  towards  the  close  of  a summery  afternoon  in  October,  1840,  that  the 
U.  S.  schooner  of  war,  Dolphin,  was  riding  at  anchor  in  the  port  of  Key-West 
Around  her  were  several  ships,  brigs  and  schooners  which  a gale  of  the  pre- 
ceding night  had  driven  in  for  shelter.  One  of  them  was  the  packet  ship  on 
which  I had  taken  passage  sixteen  days  before  at  New  York  for  New  Orleans  ; 
and  as  she  had  lost  her  fore-topmast  and  received  some  other  injuries  which  it 
would  take  some  days  to  repair,  1 accepted  the  invitation  of  the  lieutenant 
comrmnding  the  armed  schooner  to  take  a three  days  cruise  with  him  across 
the  channel  to  Cuba. 

I had  therefore  dined  with  him  on  the  day  in  which  my  story  opens,  and  was 
now  his  guest.  We  were  seated  upon  the  taffrail  enjoying  a cigar  and  watch- 
ing in  contemplative  silence  the  golden  sunset,  which  at  that  season  in  that 
latitude  is  ever  gorgeous,  when  a midshipman  who  was  idly  lolling  over  the 
quarter  gazing  seaward,  turned  to  the  commander  and  said, 

‘ I have  had  my  eye  on  that  ship  standin’  in,  sir,  for  some  time.  She  acts 
queer  !’ 

We  followed  the  direction  of  his  gaze  and  observed  about  six  miles  out  a 
large  ship  under  press  of  sail  standing  for  the  post.  She  had  everything  set  she 
could  carry  studdenstails  a- wing  and  sky-sails  aloft  While  we  were  looking 
at  her  she  broached  to,  and  seemed  about  to  wear,  and  then  filled  away  again 
and  stood  on.  As  the  wind  was  on  her  quarter,  her  lee  stndden-sails  were  con- 
stantly flapping  or  else  set  back,  while  her  starboard  sails  kept  full. 

‘ That  is  the  way  she  has  been  rearing  and  hauling,  noddin’  and  bobbin’  this 


RAFAEL. 


X 


ten  minutes,  sir,’ said  the  reefer,  nodding  and  bobbing  his  own  head  by  way  of 
illustration. 

The  commander  took  his  glass  and  placed  it  to  his  eye.  For  full  a minute 
he  looked  at  her  steadily,  and  then  said, 

‘ That  fellow  is  making  for  harbor  with  his  best  foot  foremost ; and  the  way 
he  works  his  vessel  I should  think  he  was  ignorant  of  the  way  to  come  in,  and 
was  feeling  it  as  he  went,  yet  too  much  in  a hurry  to  spare  an  inch  of  his  can- 
vass. He  is,  too,  running  into  danger,  if  he  did  but  know  it  if  he  keeps  that 
course.  Why  in  the  deuce  dont  the  fellow  take  in  his  larboard  and  studden- 
sails  ? There  is  smoke  and  a flash  ! Hark,  a gun!’ 

‘ A signal  for  a pilot,  I expect,  sir,’  answered  the  middy. 

‘They  don’t  call  pilots  that  way  here,  Fred,’  responded  the  commander  to 
the  lad  with  a smile.  ‘ Besides  there  is  one  standing  out  after  her  and  is  now 
within  two  miles  of  her  ! There  goes  another  gun  !’ 

‘And  the  pilot  boat  has  tacked  and  putting  back  to  harbor!’  I said  seeing 
with  surprise  this  movement;  for  I held  a glass  in  my  hand,  by  aid  of  which  I 
could  see  clearly  both  the  boat  and  the  ship  ; the  latter  being  now  about  five 
miles  off. 

‘ So  she  has  and  is  scudding  with  a free  sheet  right  before  the  wind,  home- 
ward.’ 

‘ And  there  goes  another  gun,  sir,’  exclaimed  the  middy. 

‘Yes,  and  if  another  is  fired,  they  are  minute-guns.  Stand  by  to  slip  the 
cable  and  make  sail ; for  if  she  fires  again,  I shall  run  out  and  see  what  is  the 
matter.’ 

‘ There  she  yaws  again  nearly  broadside  too,  sir,’  said  the  next  officer  in 
command,  a passed  midshipman,  who  came  up  from  below  on  hearing  the  first 
gun  fired. 

‘ And  now  I can  see  her  colors — American — union  down  in  her  rigging!’ 
exclaimed  the  commander. 

‘And  there  is  afourth  gun,’  cried  the  middy  looking  at  his  captain  to  catch 
his  eye,  and  in  an  attitude  of  one  ready  to  spring  forward  to  obey  the  expect- 
ed order. 

‘ They  are  minute  guns ! Get  the  schooner  under  her  canvass  at  once,  Mr 
Ferris,’  called  the  lieutenant  in  command  to  the  passed  midshipman.  Slip  the 
cable!  Loose  the  foretopsail  and  set  her  jibs.  Some  of  you  aft  here  to  the 
main  halyards.  Lively  men,  lively !’ 

While  he  was  giving  his  various  orders  in  an  animated  tone,  1 was  engag- 
ed in  looking  at  the  ship  with  my  glass,  when  I became  all  at  once  interested 
in  what  appeared  to  be  anew  and  unusual  set  of  sails  unfolding  themselves  to 
view  over  her  stern.  But  gradually  I saw  them  develope  themselves  into  the 
outlines  of  a gib.  fore-sail,  top-sail,  top-gallant-sail ; then  slowly  appeared  a 
main-gaft-top-sail,  and  the  proportions  of  a huge  mam-sail  the  next  instant 
followed;  and,  passing  out  of  range  of  the  ship,  astern  of,  and  behind  which 


RAFAEL. 


3 


it  had  hitherto  hidden,  stood  visibly  forth  the  rakish  hull  and  top-hamper  of  a 
‘long,  low,  black  schooner  !’ 

My  exclamation  of  surprise  drew  the  young  commander  to  my  side. 

‘ What  is  it?’ 

‘ A vessel  in  chace,  I believe !’ 

‘So  there  is — a rascally  pirate  or  may  I never  see  Boston  !’  he  exclaimed  as 
soon  as  he  levelled  his  glass ! Now  my  boys  stir  yourselves !’  Uncle  Sam  ex- 
pects every  man  and  boy  to  help  catch  that  black  hawk  and  pick  his  feathers. 
It  is  the  very  cruiser  I have  heard  of,  as  skulking  about  Cape  Antonia  three 
weeks  ago,  and  which  I have  wished  to  fall  in  with.  She  is  not  half  a mile 
astern  of  the  ship,  and  unless  we  are  lively  she  will  board  her  right  before  our 
nose.  Yes — that  fellow  is  no  better  than  he  should  be,’  added  the  lieutenant 
taking  a long  and  close  survey  of  the  vessel  through  his  glass.  She  is  a reg- 
ular buccaneer,  and  if  her  skipper  will  only  wait  outside  there  until  lean  come 
up  within  hail  of  him,  I will  make  him  a present  of  my  next  twelve  month’s 
pay.  But  I fear  that  as  soon  as  he  discovers  that  there  is  one  of  brother  Jona- 
than’s bull  dogs  in  the  harbor  and  we  are  in  motion  he  will  cut  and  run.  It  is 
strange  we  did  not  discover  him.  But  the  rascal  kept  purposely  astern,  and 
the  ship  I have  now  no  doubt,  yawed  as  she  did  to  give  us  a chance  of  looking 
at  her  enemy  and  coming  to  help  her.’ 

We  were  now  underweigh,  having  slipped  the  cable  and  floated  it  by  a buoy 
so  that  we  should  know  where  to  find  it  again  when  we  returned  to  port.  The 
moment  we  had  any  headway  on  the  vessel,  a gun  was  fired  forward  in  answer 
to  the  signals.  The  wind  was  blowing  from  the  south  a little  westerly,  and 
about  a six  knot  breeze  ; but  by  laying  our  course  strait  out  of  the  harbor  on 
a bowline,  we  could  fetch  the  ship  without  tacking.  The  ship  kept  firing  at 
intervals  of  a minute,  her  signals  of  distress,  that  produced  by  their  solemn 
and  irregular  sound  associations  in  my  mind  similar  to  those  created  by  the 
knoll  of  the  funeral  bell.  The  ship  seemed  to  me  to  be  an  animated  creature, 
and  the  signal  cannon,  her  voice,  appealing  to  man  for  succor.  Her  motions, 
her  irregular  progress,  were  like  life,  and  like  living  actions  under  the  influ- 
ence of  terror.  I felt  a sympathy  for  her  as  I should  have  done  for  a human 
being.  The  black  schooner  too,  crouching  low  upon  the  waves  seemed  to  be 
a living'  animal — some  subtle  beast  of  prey  hunting  its  victim.  And  to  any 
one  witnessing  such' a scene  as  this — witnessing  the  helpless  efforts  of  the 
one  to  escape  and  the  sullen  advances  of  the  other  to  make  captive ; these  as- 
sociations would  irreverently  press  upon  the  mind. 

The  war-schooner  upon  whose  deck  we  stood,  was  now  gliding  swiftly  to- 
wards the  scene  of  peril.  She  carried  eight  eighteens  besides  a heavy  forty 
two  pounder  upon  the  forecastle.  The  decks  were  cleared  for  action  as  soon 
as  we  had  got  sail  on  her;  ports  thrown  open;  the  tompions removed  from  the 
muzzles  ; cartridges  passed  up  from  the  magazine  ; balls,  cannister,  and  grape, 
piled  near  each  gun  upon  deck  ; and  forward,  the  huge  globes  of  iron,  which 


4 


RAFAEL. 


were  to  fill  the  cavernous  jaws  of  the  forty-two,  were  placed  in  sockets  by  the 
brush. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  ship  was  crowding  on  all  sail,  and  was  four  miles  only 
out;  and  she  was  now  making  better  speed,  inasmuch,  as  soon  as  she  heard 
our  answering  gun,  she  had  taken  in  her  studdensails,  which  had  been  retard- 
ing her  progress  instead  of  helping  her  flight. 

The  schooner,  was  however  close  upon  her  and  had  began  to  fire  at  her  at 
intervals,  no  doubt  resolved  to  do  her  an  injury  if  she  could  not  capture  her. 

‘That  fellow  has  kept  from  firing  upon  her  before,  lest  he  should  wake  us 
up:’  said  the  lieutenant  who  was  pacing  up  and  down  the  quarter  deck  in  fine 
spirits;  ‘but  now  that  she  has  been  firing  powder  for  help,  he  has  thought  it 
folly  to  keep  silence.  That  he  wont  keep  the  course  he  is  steering  now  long 
after  he  discovers  to  his  satisfaction  who  we  are,  you  may  be  assured.  There 
goes  the  ship’s  mizzen  royal  cariied  away  by  a shot.  The  fellow  is  a good 
gunner;  but  let  me  bring  the  Dolphin  within  half  a mile  of  him,  and  I will 
show  him  how  to  play  at  billiards  and  pocket  the  ball!  Ah,  see  that!’ 

The  schooner  after  firing  the  last  mischievous  gun  suddenly  luffed  up  into 
the  wind,  close-hauled  every  sheet,  showed  a green  flag  and  stood  seaward  un- 
der a press  of  sail. 

‘ Was  I not  right!’  cried  my  friend,  the  commander,  rubbing  his  hands  with 
great  glee,  his  fine  dark  eyes,  sparkling  like  stars,  and  his  face  glowing  with 
hope  and  confidence. 

‘He  is  running  away,  sir,’  said  the  middy,  with  a look  of  chagrin,  ‘and  I 
am  afraid  we  shant  catch  him ! These  chaps  have  such  long  legs  !’ 

‘And  so  has  the  Dolphin  long  fins  ! We  shall  come  along  side  of  that  rogue, 
confound  him,  before  morning,  and  you  shall  have  the  pleasure  Fred  of  playing 
commodore  in  her  cabin,  and  take  her  into  port.’ 

‘ If  I thought  so,  I should  feel  better,  but  I am  afraid  he’ll  skulk  away  ! See 
sir,  how  he  runs ! From  here,  without  a glass,  I can  see  the  white  bone  he 
carries  in  his  teeth,  and  the  foaming  wake  he  makes  after.’ 

‘Yes  he  sails  like  a bird  on  the  wing.  He  has  found  out  who  we  are,  for 
the  smoke  of  the  ships  firing  I have  no  doubt  kept  him  from  making  us  out  dis- 
tinctly, especially  as  there  were  so  many  craft  anchored  about  us  with  which 
we  were  blended.  But  as  soon,  you  saw,  as  we  began  to  get  down  the  harbor 
in  full  sight  he  put  about  and  run  for  it.’ 

‘ There  goes  a gun  from  the  ship,  and  by  the  report  it  was  shotted,’  said  the 
officer  of  the  deck  coming  aft.  ‘ They  are  firing  at  the  schooner  now  she  is 
frightened  off.’ 

‘Yes.  That  is  the  way  with  these  merchant-men,’  answered  Wordley,  the 
young  captain,  with  a smile.  ‘Her  signal  guns  were  not  shotted,  and  so  I 
supposed  he  had  no  balls  on  board.  But  he  was  afraid  to  strike,  and  like  a 
cowardly  school  boy,  contented  himself  with  giving  loud  calls  for  help ; and 
then  as  soon  as  he  leaves  him,  driven  away  by  a more  fearful  antagonist,  he 


RAFAEL. 


5 


throws  stones  at  his  back.  But  never  mind,  the  courage  or  cowardice  of  the 
merchantman  has  n >thing  to  do  with  the  matter  I have  in  hand.  Catch  that 
fellow  I will  before  another  twenty-four  hours  are  passed  over  my  head.’ 

In  about  fifteen  minutes  we  came  so  near  the  chase  as  to  speak  her;  but  as 
Wordley  would  not  delay  he  merely  hailed  as  he  passed  after  this  manner: 

4 Chased  in  ?’ 

‘ Yes,  sir.’ 

‘ A pirate  ?’ 

4 No  doubt  of  it,  sir.  He  hove  in  sight  from  the  south  at  ten,  and  has  chased 
me  ever  since.’ 

4 Do  you  know  how  many  guns  and  the  weight  of  melal  he  carries?’ 

4 He  has  a forty-two  on  a pivet  mid-ships,  six  side  guns  and  about  fifty  men.’ 
4 V ery  good.’ 

The  next  moment  we  were  beyond  hearing  and  merrily  dashing  on  after  this 
sea-wolf. 


6 


RAFAEL. 


CHAPTER  II. 


The  schooner  seeing  us  pass  the  merchant  vessel  and  stand  out  after  her, 
became  satisfied  that  we  not  only  understood  her  character  but  were  in  pursuit  ■ 
she,  therefore,  as  soon  as  she  was  satisfied  with  our  intentions  braced  up  sharp 
and  began  to  beat  dead  to  windward.  She  already  had  had  the  advantage  of 
us  in  the  wind,  being,  when  we  got  outside,  full  a half  mile  to  windward  and 
at  least  three  and  a half  from  us  ahead. 

‘If  he  thinks  he  can  eat  his  way  into  the  wind  and  so  get  clear  of  us  in 
that  way  he  is  mistaken,’  said  Wordley,  as  he  took  his  spy-glass  from  his  eye 
after  observing  the  movement.  1 He  finds  that  we  can  sail  with  him  on  a bow- 
line, for  he  has  not  grained  a cable’s  length  since  we  left  the  merchantman 
and  now  he  is  going  to  see  what  he  can  do  by  making  a hole  with  the  end  of 
his  jib-boom  in  the  wind’s  eye!  He  knew  well  enough  we  should  have  over- 
hauled him  before  midnight  on  this  tack  ! I will  keep  on  till  I get  him  ; beam 
which  will  be  a couple  of  miles  further,  and  then  see  what  the  saucy  Dolphin 
will  do!’ 

‘ He  lays  very  close  to  the  wind,’  I remarked  to  Wordley,  as  I took  the 
bearings  by  the  binnacle  compass !’ 

‘ Yes,  full  five  points  near!’  he  answered  glancing  at  the  compass.  ‘He  has 
everything  set  as  flat  as  the  palm  of  your  hand  ! He  looks  as  if  he  was  going 
right  into  the  wind  , for  see  his  green  flag  that  flies  at  th  peak!  it  blows  out 
strait  over  the  stern !’ 

‘ How  far  is  he  from  us  now  in  a strait  line  ?’  I asked. 

‘ About  three  miles  or  perhaps  two  and  three  quarters.’ 

‘ Within  reach  of  your  shot  ?’ 

‘No — not  fired  to  windward!’ 

‘ Then  his  might  reach  you  here?’ 

‘ Yes,  if  be  carried  heavy  enough  metal.  But  he  seems  to  be  more  inclined 
to  run  away  than  to  fight.’ 

‘ He  no  doubt  knows  your  superior  force  in  men  and  guns.’ 

‘ Yes,  he  knows  very  well  who  I am.  These  fellows  are  well  acquainted 
with  all  armed  vessels  in  these  seas,  and  keep  knowledge  of  their  movements, 
but  I think  he  had  lost,  his  reckoning  about  mine  when  he  run  so  boldly  into 
port;  doubtless  he  thought  I was  on  the  south  side  of  the  island  where  I was 
last  week !’ 


RAFAEL. 


7 


‘Have  you  any  idea  who  he  is  ?’  I asked,  as  we  went  bowling  along,  close 
hauled,  in  the  course  we  had  laid  from  first  leaving  our  anchorage,  a due  W. 
S.  W.  one,  the  chase  in  the  meanwhile  was  standing  on  the  starboard  tack, 
right  in  the  teeth  of  the  wind.  If  he  had  kept  on  his  original  course  we 
should  now  have  been  nearly  in  his  wake  and  about  a league  astern  of  him ; 
but  his  tacking  had  changed  our  relative  positions  and  running  on  opposite 
sides  of  a triangle,  we  converging  towards,  and  he  diverging  from, their  point 
of  meeting,  there  was  a place  before  us  when  we  should  be  abeam  or  oppo- 
site one  another,  and  only  a mile  apart. 

‘ When  we  get  him  in  this  position  I shall  open  upon  him  as  he  passes  on 
the  tack  he  is  on,’  said  Wordley  going  forward  to  the  forty-two  pounder 
which  was  all  prepared  for  firing,  the  captain  of  the  gun  standing  by  with  a 
lighted  fuse.  ‘ We  shall  be  in  this  position  but  a minute  or  two,  and  I must 
then  do  what  I can  to  cripple  him.  And  to  be  sure  of  my  aim  I shall  back 
the  fore-topsail,  and  so  fire  as  steadily  from  my  deck  as  from  a stationary  bat- 
tery 1’ 

Taking  his  place  upon  the  gun,  Wordley  now  closely  watched  the  schooner, 
the  two  vessels  rapidly  approximating  to  that  point  in  their  diverse  cours  s,  as 
we  sailed  on  opposite  tacks,  which  would  bring  us  within  a mile  of  each  other 
for  an  instant,  and  then,  each  passing  on,  would  widen  their  distance  unless 
we  tacked  and  stood  on  the  course  she  was  sailing,  and  so  keep  abeam  of  her. 

‘She  is  swinging  round  her  forecastle  gun,’  said  Wordley.  ‘She  means  to 
give  us  a shot,  too,  as  we  pass  !’ 

In  about  five  minutes  more  we  came  to  the  position  in  which  we  should  be 
Highest  to  each  other.  Wordley  sprang  from  the  gun  and  gave  the  order  to 
back  the  topsail.  He  then  sighted  the  piece  with  his  eye  along  the  huge  tube 
of  hollow  iron,  and  taking  the  fuse  from  the  gunner,  stood  a moment,  till  the 
schooner’s  headway  was  deadened  and  she  became  stationary,  which  he  as- 
certained by  throwing  a cork  over  the  side. 

I had  taken  his  glass  and  placed  it  to  my  eye  to  watch  the  effect  of  the  shot. 
I had  a full  view  of  the  schooner.  I could  see  upon  her  quarter-deck  a figure 
moving  about  with  animation,  whom  I had  no  doubt  was  the  captain.  The 
bulwarks  and  hammock-nettings  were  high,  so  that  I could  overlook  only  the 
caps  of  the  men,  but  these  were  very  numerous,  and  were  mostly  red  or  blue 
caps,  with  very  few  tarpaulins  among  them.  I saw  two  fellows  going  up  the 
fore-rigging  whose  costume  was  that  of  the  Spanish  buccaneer.  Before  their 
long  gun  the  bulwark  had  been  let  down  inside,  giving  it  a free  range  in  the 
direction  of  our  vessel.  I could  get  glimpses  of  the  men  hovering  about  it, 
and  every  sign  of  an  intention  to  fire  upon  us  was  as  apparent  as  our  own  pre- 
parations to  fire  upon  him.  The  appearance  of  the  schooner  was  very  pic- 
turesque. Her  immense  breadth  of  canvass  compared  with  the  small  size  of 
her  huT,  as  if  the  wings  of  a swan  had  been  given  to  a black-bird.  All  her 
sails,  though  large,  were  gracefully  cut  and  symmetrical  in  their  proportions. 


8 


RAFAEL. 


Although  her  tonnage  must  have  been  under  ninety,  yet  she  carried  a main- 
sail heavier  than  ours,  and  her  foretopsad  was  very  much  squarer.  She  moved 
along  dark  and  close  to  the  water,  with  her  long  flying-jib-boom  projecting 
far  beyond  her  bows  and  almost  in  a line  level  with  the  sea, while  her  masts  of 
great  length  raked  aft  so  that  the  main  truck  overhung  the  taflrail.  She  lay 
upon  the  water  as  straight  as  an  arrow,  her  sharp  bows  shooting  far  out  and 
tapering  gradually  away  into  the  bowsprit.  Low,  sharp,  rakish,  and  taunt, 
with  a cloud  of  canvass  above  her  decks. 

She  sailed  on,  dashing  aside  the  spray  from  her  bows  and  leaving  along 
frothy  wake  astern  that  looked  like  a snow  path  upon  the  blue  sea. 

The  sun  was  just  setting  as  we  came  abeam  of  one  another,  and  the  stran- 
ger schooner  lay  for  an  instant  directly  within  the  circle  of  his  disc,  like  a 
ship  stamped  upon  a medal  of  gold. 

I turned  away  my  eye  from  the  splendor  of  the  sight,  and  at  the  instant, 
Wordley  cried  with  animation, 

‘Right  in  the  sun’s  eye!  Fire'.'  He  had  hardly  got  the  words  out  of  his 
lips  when  he  applied  the  fuse  himself  to  the  piece  and  discharged  it.  At 
the  same  instant  the  buccaneer  also  fired.  His  shot  passed  with  a loud  roar 
between  our  masts,  and  we  heard  it  dash  up  the  spray  to  leeward,  while  the  re- 
port of  our  own  gun,  was  yet  ringing  in  our  ears.  Wordley  threw  down  the 
fuse  to  seize  his  glass  and  spring  upon  the  windlass  out  of  reach  of  the 
smoke  which  was  borne  aft  by  the  wind. 

‘My  shot  has  done  good  service !’  he  exclaimed.  ‘It  has  gone  right  into 
her  main-chains,  and  through  and  through  her,  I verily  believe!  See  she  falls 
off  as  if  there  was  confusion  on  board  ! I should’nt  be  surprised  if  I had 
wounded  her  mainmast,  for  so  far  as  I can  judge,  the  shot  must  have  struck  it 
between  decks.  If  I had  only  taken  her  three  feet  below,  she  would  have 
had  work  for  her  pumps.  As  it  is,  I must  have  done  her  great  mischief.  Fill 
away  again,  Mr  Ferris  ! I will  stand  on  till  she  gets  a little  headway  on  her 
and  then  tack.’ 

We  closely  watched  the  schooner,  Wordley  expecting  each  moment,  as  he 
said,  to  see  her  main-mast  go  by  the  board;  but  we  were  disappointed.  The 
vessel  stood  steadily  on  as  before,  with  every  thing  drawing,  and  laying  as 
close  to  the  wind  as  possible.  We  kept  our  course  on  the  larboard  tack, 
about  five  minutes  longer,  and  then  tacked  and  stood  after  her.  We  soon  dis- 
covered that  we  could  lay  quite  as  near  to  the  wind  as  the  chase,  and  with 
great  nicety  in  the  trimmgof  every  sail,  and  a careful  watch  of  the  helm,  wre 
were  enabled  to  come  up  half  a point  nigher,  that  is  within  about  five  and  a 
half  points,  the  schooner  laying  within  six. 

‘This  is  a decided  advantage,  and  will  by  and  by  bring  us  up  with  her,’ said 
Ferris  turning  to  me.’  She  will  have  to  tack  soon,  as  she  can’t  run  on  that 
leg  more  than  a mile  before  she  will  be  in  shoal  water;  if  we  tack  wdten  she 
does,  we  shall  by  and  by  work  up  to  her;  and  at  any  rate  get  her  w ithin  range 
of  another  gun.’ 


RAFAEL. 


9 


‘She  must  be  within  range  now!’ 

‘Yes — but  her  stern  presents  too  small  a mark  at  this  distance;  it  dont  look 
bigger  than  a buoy  said  Wordley.  ‘We  will  by  and  by  get  her  broadside  to. 
If  we  could  hit  her  as  she  is  we  could  rake  her,  and  do  the  business  for  her!’ 

The  schooner  after  running  in  towards  the  land  on  the  tack  about  ten  min- 
utes longer,  put  about  and  stood  away  on  the  other  tack.  We  kept  on,  passed 
each  other,  and  a second  time  exchanged  shots,  but  this  time  without  effect, 
both  vessels  being  in  motion,  although  we  were  nigher  to  each  other  then 
when  we  fired  first.  Our  ball  passed  several  feet  astern  of  the  chase,  while 
hers  of  the  same  weight  of  metal,  struck  the  water  about  a hundred  feet  from 
our  larboard  quarter,  and  taking  a oblique  direction,  threw  the  spray  over  our 
decks  in  its  passage  close  under  the  counter.  For  a moment  we  believed  that 
the  rudder  must  have  been  struck  so  close  it  passed  us.  The  jets  of  water  it 
cast  up,  catne  down  upon  the  deck  as  if  from  a fountain. 

‘That  was  well  aimed,’  exclaimed  Wordley;  and  if  we  had  been  going  three 
feet  anliour  slower  than  we  are,  we  should  have  had  the  best  part  of  our  keel 
torn  off,  rudder  and  all.  The  speed  of  the  Dolphin  has  saved  her  this  time  !’ 

We  stood  on  a Itttle  further,  and  then  tacked  also.  The  rich  bright 
twilight  that  so  long  lingers  after  the  sun  sets,  still  covered  sea  md  sky  with 
a brilliant  rosy  glow,  by  which  the  shores  and  the  vessels  in  the  port,  and 
every  object  within  the  limits  of  our  horizon  were  distinctly  visible.  The  at 
mosphere  was  perfectly  clear  and  it  promised  to  be  a light  night!  This  would 
greatly  favor  us,  for  Wordley  was  apprehensive  that  she  might  escape  him  in 
the  dark,  should  it  cloud.  But  present  appearances  indicated  a starry  sky. — 
Both  vessels  were  now  standing  on  the  same  tack,  a W.  S.  W.  course,  the 
chase  about  a mile  and  a half  ahead,  and  a third  of  a mile  to  windward;  but 
we  knew  we  were  lessening  this  distance  towards  the  wind  every  moment, 
for  our  vessel  was  a fast  sailor  and  her  jib-boom  never  failed  to  go  inside  of 
whatever  it  was  pointed  at. 

The  twilight  deepened  slowly  into  the  shadows  of  the  starry  evening,  and 
we  were  still  standing  on  the  same  course  right  out  from  the  land.  The 
schooner  had  made  no  demonstrations  of  tacking  again,  although  she  had  been 
running  a league  on  this  tack,  which  was  also  her  losing  one;  her  real  gain  to 
windward  being  on  the  other  or  starboard  tack. 

‘ That  fellow  intends  to  run  away  from  us,  be  sure,’ said  Wordley  after  watch- 
ing her  through  his  glass.  He  sees  we  can  w’altz  to  windward  quite  as  deli- 
cately as  he  can  and  now  he  means  to  run  for  it  across  the  channel,  doubtless 


10 


RAFAEL. 


CHAPTER  III. 

to  try  and  reach  Cuba  under  cover  of  the  night.  But  if  I lose  sight  of  him 
may  I never  see  Boston  !’ 


THE  DISAPPEARANCE. 

The  night  set  in  clear  and  starry,  so  that  without  the  aid  of  the  glass  we 
could  distinctly  see  the  grey  shape  of  the  pirate  schooner  flitting  away  on  the 
sea  about  a two  miles  ahead.  VVe  were  now  exactly  in  her  wake,  for  while 
she  had  been  falling  off  a little  to  gain  in  speed  what  she  lost  at  windward, 
Wordley,  was  keeping  his  vessel  close  hugged  on  a taut  bow-line,  thus 
losing  in  speed  what  he  gained  to  windward.  His  object  was  to  get  once  to 
the  windward,  letting  the  chase  run  on  as  she  choose,  and  then  give  his  ves- 
sel the  benefit  of  a freer  sheet,  when  he  was  satisfied  he  would  be  enabled  to 
overhaul  her  by  dint  of  faster  sailing.  The  result  will  show  the  wisdom  of  this 
policy.  Having  at  length  got  the  wind  of  her,  the  order  was  given  to  fall  off 
a point,  and  the  schoonei  with  every  sheet  eased  and  freed  from  its  long  re- 
straint, went  dashing  on  with  music  about  her  bows,  and  every  strand  in  her 
telling. 

Being  myself  only  a guest  on  board,  and  non-belligerent,  I had  nothing  to 
do  but  watch  the  schooner  with  an  occasional  peep  through  my  glass,  and  see 
that  she  did’nt  vanish  like  the  Flying  Dutchman;  but  Wordley  having  ahosix 
men  stationed  in  different  parts  of  the  vessel,  with  orders  not  to  take  their 
eyes  off  the  misty  looking  phantom  ahead,  not  even  to  take  time  to  wink,  there 
was  no  danger  that  she  should  disappear  without  due  notice  given. 

‘These  fellows  have  so  many  tricks,’  said  Wordley,  approaching  me  as  I 
was  watching  the  swift  progress  of  the  vessel  through  the  water,  which  glit- 
tered with  myriads  of  phosporescent  sparks  as  if  her  bows  were  dashing 
through  fire  instead  of  water.  ‘They  are  up  to  all  sorts  of  tricks!  Some  of 
them  will  douse  their  whole  top-hamper,  yards,  spars,  and  even  masts  in  the 
twinkling  of  a purser’s  prayers,  and  one  might  almost  ride  over  them  without 
seeing  them,  they  lie  so  low  in  the  water.  Some  of  them  will  furl  every  stich 
of  canvass  and  present  nothing  by  which  to  distinguish  her  a cable's  length 
off,  even  in  a night  as  bright  as  this.  Now  that  schooner  ahead!  you  can  just 
see  that  she  is  there  with  the  naked  eye  looking  like  the  ghost  of  a schooner 
faint  and  flickering.  Now  suppose  she  should, while  we  were  looking  away  for 
a moment,  suddenly  lower  her  main  and  fore-sail  and  jibs,  and  furl  her  top- 


RAFAEL. 


11 


sails.  Would  it  be  possible  for  us  to  find  her  by  her  slender  masts?  Last 
year  I was  cruising  in  this  same  vessel  on  the  south  side  of  Cuba,  and  leisurly 
sailing  along  the  coast  a league  off,  one  morning  I saw  in  tbe  offing  a little 
fore  and  after  making  for  the  shore  six  miles  to  leeward  of  me.  I knew  there 
was  a suspected  inlet  in  that  direction  for  the  rendezvous  of  all  sorts  of  sea- 
robbers,  and  was  steering  down  that  way  to  take  a look  in,  when  I saw  this  lug- 
ger. I put  after  her  wdth  all  sail  I could  carry  to  cut  her  off.  On  finding  I 
was  in  chase,  she  tacked  all  at  once  and  scampered  due  south, wing  and  wing 
dead  before  the  wind.  Schooners  like  this  sail  best  on  the  wind  four  points 
free,  and  perhaps  this  little  rascal  was  aware  of  this  fact.  I however  gave 
him  chase.  Well  he  run  about  forty  miles  to  the  southward  and  finding  T was 
gaining  on  him  gradually  but  surely,  and  perhaps  not  liking  to  be  so  far  off 
from  home,  he  hauled  his  wind  and  went  off  with  a free  sheet  due  east,  hav- 
ing the  wind  on  his  larboard  beam.  This  compelled  me  to  haul  a little  and 
cut  across  the  country  as  they  say  at  home,  to  meet  him.  He  sailed  like  a 
little  devil.  The  schooner  had  to  make  every  joint  do  its  work  to  walk  af- 
ter her.  Just  as  night  set  in  I began  to  gain  ou  her  very  susceptibly,  and  half 
an  hour  after  sun-set  1 was  within  a mile  and  a half  of  her.  I fired  a shot 
across  her  bows,  but  she  paid  no  attention  to  it,  but  still  cracked  on  at  a slap- 
ping pace.  I swore  then,  that  as  I hoped  to  see  Eoston,  I’d  have  that  fellow 
to  breakfast  with  me  in  iron  mitlens.  I set  studden-sails  forward  and  fore  and 
main  gaft  top-sails,  sending  them  up  and  having  them  bent  for  the  purpose, 
and  stationing  men  on  the  lookout  I soon  found  I was  gaining  upon  her.  It 
was  about  this  time  in  the  evening  and  a clearer  night  if  possible,  so  that  I 
was  able  to  see  her  a mile  distant  and  distinguish  her  spars  !’ 

‘Was  she  a large  vessel  of  her  class?’  I asked. 

‘She  was  about  fifty  tons,  half  the  size  of  the  fellow  ahead  ! 

‘Keep  a sharp  lookout  there,  my  lads  ! 

‘Aye,  aye,  sir !’  answered  half  a dozen  men’s  voices  in  a cheery  tone. 

‘Well,  1 got  within  a third  of  a mile  of  her  and  having  taken  a last  close 
look  at  her  with  my  glass  I walked  and  placed  it  upon  the  binnacle  and  then 
gave  the  order  to  stand  by  and  lower  away  tbe  quarter  boat  for  boarding  as 
soon  as  I should  come  up  with  her!  The  coxswain  and  his  crew  had  hardly 
got  aft  w’hen  I cast  another  glance  in  the  direction  of  the  little  rascal  who  had 
given  me  such  a long  chase,  but  I could  see  nothing  of  him  ! Supposing  the 
man  at  the  helm  had  let  the  schooner  come  up  into  the  wind,  I looked  at  the 
compass,  and  found  she  was  on  her  course.  I then  caught  up  my  glass,  and 
swept  the  range  of  horizon  and  water,  but  devil  a thing  could  I see  of  her. — 
At  the  same  instaftt  three  of  my  men  called  out  in  tones  of  surprise, 

‘The  chase  is  not  to  be  seen,  sir!’ 

‘This  was  very  extraordinary!’ 

‘Yes,  and  I was  perplexed,  I assure  you.  Lest  I should  run  by  the  spot  I 
had  last  seen  her  in,  I immediately  brought  the  schooner  to  the  wind,  and  go- 


12 


Rafael. 


ing  a'oft  with  my  glass,  took  a survey  of  the  sea  around  me.  There  was  noth 
ing  visible.  If  any  thing  had  been  four  feet  above  the  water  any  where  near 
where  the  chace  ought  to  have  been,  it  would  not  have  escaped  me.  Alter  a 
fruitless  scrutiny  of  the  surface  of  the  ocean,  I decended  to  the  deck  and  or- 
dered the  vessel  to  be  put  away  again,  and  for  an  hour  I went  sailing  round 
in  a circle  of  a mile  every  man  and  boy  on  board  on  the  lookout!” 

‘And  you  discovered  nothing?’ 

‘Not  a sign  of  any  thing;  and  in  about'  an  hour  and  a half  after  losing  sight 
of  her,  I gave  the  order  to  put  ship  about  and  return  to  the  island,  satisfied  that 
the  fellow  had  foundered  !’ 

‘Was  it  blowing  hard  ?’ 

‘About  an  eight  knot  breeze,  and  not  much  sea  at  that!  But  what  had  be- 
come of  him  if  he  had  not  gone  to  the  bottom  ?’ 

‘It  is  surprising  indeed!’ 

‘Well  I must  confess  it  has  puzzled  me  to  this  day.  My  men  swore  it  was 
a young  Flying  Dutchma  n,  and  I’m  half  a mind,’  he  added  laughing,  ‘to  be  of 
their  opinion.  But  let  us  take  a look  at  our  friend  ahead  and  see  if  he  is  like- 
ly to  play  us  any  trick. 

‘The  chase  is  not  in  sight,  sir?’  cried  an  old  tar  from  the  fore-riging,  using 
almost  the  same  words  Wordley  had  repeated  in  the  other  case. 

‘Not  in  sight?’  he  exclaimed,  hurrying  his  glass  to  his  eye. 

‘She  has  disappeared,  all  at  once  sir?’  said  the  man  at  the  helm,  for  I had 
my  eye  on  her  and  saw  her  plainly  two  minutes  ago!’ 

‘Well  if  I dontwish  I had  never  told  about  that  lugger!’  exclaimed  Word- 
ley.  ‘This fellow  has  served  me  the  same  trick  I fear!’ 

‘What,  gone  to  the  bottom  !’  I asked  laughing. 

‘No — but  some  infernal  artifice  or  other.  He  is  not  visible  that  is  a fact,  as 
I hope  to  see  Boston  ! Do  you  make  out  any  thing?’ 

‘I  can  see  nothing,’  I answered  after  a close  survey  of  the  sea  ahead,  with 
my  glass. 

‘She  bore  a point  and  a half  to  windward,  sir,  when  I saw  her  three  minutes 
ago,’  said  the  helmsman,’  fori  set  her  by  compass!’ 

‘Then  luff  that  much  and  stick  her  dead  on  to  the  spot ! If  she  has  gone 
down  we  shall  find  her  bones  floating  about,  and  if  she  has  only  struck  her 
masts  we  shall  walk  right  over  her  hull!  This  is  all  of  telling  about  that 
confounded  other  affair!’ 

The  disappointment  and  chagrin  of  the  brave  officer  was  only  exceeded  by 
his  astonishment  at  this  sudden  disappearance  of  the  chase.  With  his  glass 
at  his  eye  he  took  a stand  upon  the  gun  forward  and  closely  scanned  the  sur- 
face of  the  ocean.  He  rubbed  the  lens  of  his  glass  at  least  a dozen  times  with 
the  cornor  of  his  silk  handkerchief  and  as  many  times  replaced  the  instrument 
to  his  eye.  But  the  sight  of  the  vessel  did  not  reward  his  perseverance. 

‘We  ought  to  be  now  in  her  neighborhood,’  he  said  coming  aft.  ‘Now 


RAFAEL. 


13 


every  man  of  you  open  all  the  eyes  you’ve  got,  and  see  with  the  ends  of  your 
fingers.  She  must  be  somewhere  about  here.’ 

‘Have  you  a blue-light  on  board?’  I asked. 

‘No,  but  by  the  lord  Harry,  lean  soon  make  something  that  will  answer  the 
purpose.  I have  half  a score  of  rockets  below,  and  I will  send  one  of  these  up 
with  lighted  swab  of  oakum  dipped  in  tar  !’ 

The  idea  was  no  sooner  suggested  than  carried  into  execution.  The  rocket 
was  bound  to  a spar  that  projected  over  the  gang-way,  and  a hairy  mass  of 
oakum,  like  a Medusa’s  head,  was  secured  to  the  staff.  A slow  match  was 
placed  in  the  midst  of  it,  and  ignited.  The  rocket  was  then  let  off  into  the  air. 
The  weight  of  its  unusual  appendage  retarded  somewhat  its  velocity,  but  it 
nevertheless  rose  boldly  skyward,  and  by  the  time  it  had  reached  its  greatest 
altitude,  the  wind  of  its  progress  had  kindled  into  a blaze,  which  communica- 
ting with  the  oakum,  exploded  into  a vast  mass  of  the  most  brilliant  light- 
‘Dont  look  after  the  light,  but  at  the  sea,’  shouted  the  Captain,  who  had  kept 
his  eyelids  down  to  a level  with  the  horizon,  that  he  might  have  the  full  bene- 
fit of  the  reflection  upon  the  surface.  It  shed  abroad  far  and  wide,  a wild 
glare,  lighting  up  the  ocean  for  a mile  around  us.  Then  it  began  to  descend 
like  some  fiery  fiend  hurled  from  the  skies,  and  with  a loud  hiss  plunged  into 
the  sea.  All  was  instantly  dark — darker  than  before,  to  our  vision.  I felt  the 
firm  grasp  of  Wordley  upon  my  arm  as  the  light  began  to  fall,  and  his  finger 
pointed  me  in  silence  to  a black  mass  to  windward  and  astern  about  two  cables 
length  distant.  1 had  hardly  caught  a glimpse  of  it  when  we  were  in  dark- 
ness. The  glance  was  so  brief  that  I could  not  tell  whether  it  was  a black 
rock,  or  a vessel’s  hull ! 

He  sprung  to  the  compass  and  fixed  the  bearings  of  it,  and  then  his  noble 
voice  was  heard  ringing  like  a trumpet. 

‘Ready  about!  All  hands  to  tack  ship!  Lively,  men  lively  !’ 

The  crew  sprung  to  their  several  posts  ignorant  of  the  cause  of  the  thrilling 
order;  yet  guessing  at  the  truth.  The  boatswain’s  whistle  piped  loud  and 
shrill.  The  schooner’s  head  came  up  to  the  wind,  her  upper  sails  shivering, 
then  filled  reversed  against  the  mast;  and  then  amid  the  flying  of  sheets  and 
braces,  the  swinging  round  of  yards  and  swooping  over  of  booms,  she  set  her 
bows  the  other  way  and  was  soon  dashing  on  in  the  direction  in  which  we  had 
discovered  the  dark  object  upon  the  water. 

‘There  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  the  vessel,’  I remarked  to  Wordley  as  he  took 
his  station  on  the  weather  side  of  the  quarter-deck  upon  a gun-carriage. 

‘No.  I saw  the  fellow  as  plain  as  1 see  my  hand.  He  had  struck  his  top- 
masts and  taken  in  every  inch  of  canvass,  and  lay  upon  the  water  drifting. — 
I dare  say  he  expected  he  should  escape  us;  and  ’fore  George ! he  like  to  have 
done  it,  for  we  had  passed  him  without  seeing  him,  if  it  had  not  been  for  the 
rocket  and  its  fiery  tail.  We  must  keep  a sharp  look  out  now,  or  the  fellow 
will  get  off  yet !’ 


14  RAFAEL. 

A dozen  men  were  on  the  bows  and  in  the  fore-rigging  watching  the  sea 
and  in  five  minutes  the  cry  was — 

‘A  sail  dead  ahead,  sir!’ 

Wordley  seized  his  trumpet  and  sprung  upon  a weather  gun.  There  was 
none  visible. 

‘To  leeward,  sir !’  called  out  the  Boatswain. 

We  ran  to  the  other  side  of  the  vessel  just  in  time  to  see  dash  swiftly  past 
us,  a large  fore  and  aft  topsail  schooner,  steering  on  the  opposite  tack,  and  to 
hear  a voice  from  her  deck  say  in  a pleasant  ironical  way — 

‘Good  night,  gentleman;  a pleasant  cruise  to  you !’ 

The  next  instant  she  was  nearly  out  of  sight,  far  astern ! 


RAFAEL. 


15 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE  LAST  SHOT. 

4 If  that  is  not  the  schooner  may  I never  see  Boston ! ’ exclaimed  Wurdley, 
as  soon  as  he  could  find  words  to  give  expression  to  his  astonishment.  Ready 
about ! ’ 

The  next  moment  we  were  dashing  along  on  the  other  tack,  and  in  full 
chase.  With  the  glass  the  schooner  was  visible  like  a gray  cloud  resting  upon 
the  sea.  The  excitement  on  board  was  now  intense.  The  men  believed  the 
vessel  to  be  a phantom,  and  some  roundly  swore  it  was  the  same  slippery  fel- 
low that  had  got  away  from  them  the  year  before,  the  young  Flying  Dutch- 
man ! ’ 

Wordley  paced  the  deck  a few  moments  in  silence  after  he  had  seen  that  the 
schooner  was  doing  her  best,  and  then  stopping  by  me,  he  said  impressively, 

4 What  do  you  think  ot  all  this  ?’ 

4 That,  after  he  saw  the  illumination  you  made,  he  knew  he  must  be  discov- 
ered and  so  at  once  made  sail  and  resolved  to  pass  you  boldly,  as  the  only 
chance  of  escaping. 

4 That  is  what  I think,’ he  said  thoughtfully ; * but  it  is  very  singular.  I am 
not  superstitious,  but  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I begin  to  think  I might  as  well  give 
hase  to  a cloud  on  the  horizon,  as  to  this  fellow  ! ’ 

The  light  of  the  binnacle  shone  upon  his  face,  and  I could  see,  as  I looked 
at  it  with  surprise,  that  he  was  serious. 

‘There  is  nothing  supernatural  in  what  has  occurred!  ’ 

‘No,  nothing  yet;  but  if  she  don’t  show  us  some  other  trick  before  long, 
may  I never  see  Boston ! ’ 

4 Most  sailors  I know,  are  superstitious,  but  I have  not  usually  found  officers 
so,’  I remarked. 

4 Why  not  officers  ? we  commune  night  after  night,  as  we  pace  our  lonely 
decks;  we  commune,  I say,  night  after  night  with  the  same  deep  and  mysteri- 
ous sea  on  which  we  live,  and  with  the  same  starry  or  stormy  skies  above  us, 
and  which  is  our  only  roof.  Our  ears  hear  the  same  moanings  and  ■whisperings 
from  the  waves  and  the  winds,  and  our  imaginations  people  the  surrounding 


16 


RAFAEL. 


air  and  ocean  with  the  strange  forms  and  flitting  shapes!  It  is  no  wondei 
sailors,  I mean  by  the  term  both  officers  and  men,  should  be  superstitious. — 
There  is  not  a man  on  board  but  what  believes  in  the  Flying  Dutchman  as 
faithfully  as  he  believes  in  the  existence  of  old  Neptune!’ 

‘ That  is  rather  equivocal  faith,’  I said  laughing.  Do  you  mean  to  say  the 
men  believe  that  there  is  such  a personage  as  Neptune  !’ 

‘Ask  one  of  them  ! There  is  an  old  man-of-war’s  man  there  at  the  main  tack 
coiling  up  the  slack.  ‘Come  here  Jack!’ 

‘ Aye,  aye  sir,’  answered  the  tar  crossing  the  deck  and  touching  his  tar- 
paulin. 

‘ Do  you  believe  in  Neptune  ?’ 

‘ Do  you  mean  old  father  Nep  with  the  beard  and  grains,  sir?’  asked  Jack 
respectfully. 

‘Yes,  Jack !’ 

‘ Why  sartinly,  sir,  I hopes  I do !’  responded  the  tar  giving  a pull  at  his  trou- 
sers on  either  hip,  and  touching  his  cap  at  the  same  time  with  a certain  rever- 
ence of  manner,  as  if  with  an  involuntary  feeling  of  respect  for  the  bearded 
sea-king. 

‘Have  you  ever  seen  him,  Jack?’  I enquired. 

‘Thatl  cant  swear  to  sir,  because  its  not  bible  proof:  but  then  if  I saidas 
howl  had’nt  seen  him,  I believe  I should  lie!’ 

‘ You  believe  there  is  such  a craft  eruising  the  wide  ocean  as  the  Dutchman, 
dont  you  Jack?’  asked  the  Captain  after  taking  along  and  steady  look  at  the 
schooner  ahead,  and  satisfying  himself  that  she  was  still  visible. 

‘ The  Flying  Dutchman,  sir  ?’ 

‘ Yes,  Jack !’ 

‘ It  stands  to  reason  I does.  He  has  been  seen  a hundred  times,’  he  answer- 
ed with  positiveness.  ‘ I have  had  a glimpse  at  him  twice  myself!’ 

‘You  have,  Jack?’ 

‘ Yes,  sir,  and  I knew  ship-mates  who  have  had  him  come  athwart  their  course 
as  many  as  seven  times  in  a cruise ! I never  want  to  see  him,  for  the  ship 
that  falls  in  with  this  crazy  craft  never  brings  all  her  crew  safe  to  port;  and  if 
she  meets  him  thrice  she  finds  the  bottom  afore  her  best  bower  will,  that  is 
gospel !’ 

‘ Well  Jack,  you  may  go  forward  and  keep  a good  look  out,  and  tell  the  lads 
there  to  button  their  eyes  back,  for  that  fellow  ahead  must’nt  give  us  the  slip  a 
second  time !’ 

‘We  are  gaining  on  the  vessel,’  I said  as  I took  up  the  glass;  I can  make 
out  the  spaces  between  her  yards  and  sails  which  were  blended  with  them  in 
a confused  mass  a few  moment  ago  !’ 

‘ You  are  right.  I will  train  the  long  gun  upon  him,  now  I have  him  in 
range  and  see  if  I cant  cripple  him.  He  is  not  more  than  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  ahead  of  us.  Ilark ! Do  you  hear  and  see  that ! It  is  a pistol  that 


RAFAEL. 


17 


had  been  discharged  on  board  of  her,  by  accident,  I suppose.  The  sound  was 
so  clear  and  distinct  that  she  cannot  be  so  far  off ! Come  forward  with  me 
and  I will  train  the  forty  two  upon  her  and  send  him  my  respects  !’ 

The  gun  was  loaded  and  then  accurately  levelled  by  Wordley  upon  the  ves- 
sel which  was  now  plainly  distinguishable  without  the  glass;  and,  therefore,  it 
was  evident  that  we  were  rapidly  approaching  her. 

* Now  I will  try  whether  his  sails  are  made  of  canvass  or  of  moonlight,’ 
said  W ordley  as  he  took  the  lighted  fuse  from  the  hand  of  the  gunner  and  moved 
it  two  or  three  times  through  the  air  to  brighten  the  ignited  end. 

He  applied  it  to  the  priming  and  the  flashing  light  of  the  explosion  showed 
us  plainly  the  whole  proportions  of  the  schooner  towards  which  the  roaring  ball 
of  iron  was  hurled.  It  was  but  for  an  instant, like  the  transient  picture  produ- 
ced by  a magic  lantern.  Smoke  enveloped  us,  and  our  ears,  almost  deafened 
by  the  report,  were  bent  eagerly  to  catch  any  sound  from  the  direction  in  which 
the  shot  had  sped. 

‘ She  has  got  it?’  shouted  Wordley  as  a crashing  sound  accompanied  with 
cries  wild  and  shrieking  was  borne  to  us  ! ‘ She  has  got  it,  every  ounce  of  it, 

and  much  good  may  it  do  her.  Hark  ! here  that  sharp  noise  ? Now  listen 
for  the  splash  ! There  it  is  ! One  of  her  masts  has  gone  by  the  board !’ 

With  the  glass  I could  see  that  his  ear  had  not  deceived  him.  Her  foremast 
had  fallen  carrying  with  it  all  the  sails  over  the  side  into  the  sea.  As  soon  as 
Wordley  saw  this  he  seemed  a new  man!  He  was  all  life  and  gaiety.  He 
gave  his  orders  with  spirit  and  a cheerful  1 aye,  aye’  came  back  from  the  men. 
The  gloom  and  snperstition  of  his  mind  as  well  as  oftheir’s  vanished,  and  the 
feeling  throughout  the  vessel  was  one  of  exhiliration  and  joyous  anticipation. 
Crippled  as  she  was,  the  chase  could  not  now  escape  us.  Each  instant  we 
were  expecting  a return  from  her  first  gun,  but  as  she  did  not  fall  off  as  she 
would  be  compelled,  to  bring  it  to  bear,  it  being  forward,  we  supposed  she  was 
unable  to  do  so.  But  as  we  came  up  we  could  see  that  she  was  lying  per- 
fectly unmanageable  upon  the  water  and  rapidly  falling  off  from  the  wind,  so 
that  if  we  had  not  luffed  she  would  the  next  moment  have  laid  broadside  to  our 
course!  Wordley  grasped  his  trumpet  as  we  came  nearer  and  sprung  upon 
the  companion-way. 

‘ Have  you  struck  2* 

‘Yes!’  was  the  answer,  but  not  in  the  same  voice  that  before  had  bade  us 
good  night  and  wished  us  Ion  voyage  so  gaily. 

‘ Why  dont  you  lower  your  main-sail  if  yon  can’t  come  to?’  he  cried  as  we 
went  bounding  on  past  his  stern,  crossing  his  wake  and  wearing  round  upon 
his  starboard-quarter,  for  he  was  now  going  off  before  the  wind  under  the 
main-sail  and  gaft-topsail,  while  his  top-mast  stay-sail  torn  away  from  the  fore 
mast,  was  blowing  out  strait  like  a streamer,  as  she  was  driven  helplessly  a- 
long.  ‘ Lower  the  main-sail  to  stop  her  way,  and  send  a boat  on  board  !’ 

* Aye,  sir.’ 


18 


RAFAEL. 


We  were  now  moving  on  side  by  side  both  right  before  the  wind,  which 
was  the  only  course  the  prize  could  take.  To  keep  from  shooting  ahead,  as 
she  drove  in  this  way  only  about  four  knots,  and  the  wind  blew  an  eight  knot 
breeze,  we  had  to  brail  up  our  fore-sail,  drop  the  main  peak,  and  even  let  the 
fore  top-sail  drop  upon  the  crosstrees.  The  distance  between  us  was  about 
one  hundred  yards. 

Their  main-sail  came  down  by  the  run,  and  a boat  was  lowered  into  the  wa- 
ter. It  soon  approached  us  and  a rope  being  flung  to  them  from  the  gang-way 
it  was  soon  alongside.  A person  who  stood  in  the  stern,  got  out  and  came  up- 
on deck.  Wordley  met  him  at  the  gang- way,  on  each  side  of  which  stood  a 
sailor  holding  a battle-lantern  that  cast  a bright  light  upon  the  scene.  By 
their  glare  the  stranger  was  distinctly  seen.  He  was  a man  under  thirty  years 
of  age,  of  the  middle  height,  but  a strong  frame  compact  and  symmetrical. — 
His  face  was  either  English  or  American,  though  his  complexion  was  very 
dark.  He  was  dressed  in  a blue  seaman’s  roundabout  but  had  the  air  of  aper- 
son  superior  in  rank  to  a common-sailor.  The  expression  of  his  face  was  sin- 
gularly resolute. 

‘ Are  you  the  captain  of  the  prize,  sir  ?’  asked  W ordley. 

‘ No,  sir,  only  the  second  in  command,  answered  the  man  glancing  around 
upon  the  group  with  a cool  and  observing  look. 

‘ Where  is  your  captain?’  demanded  Wordley  quickly.  ‘Why  has  he  not 
come  on  board  of  me  ?’ 

‘He  was  wounded  by  that  last  shot  of  yours,  and  lies  bleeding  in  his  cabin 
But  for  this  we  should  hardly  have  struck,  but  fought  it  out  till  one  or  the  other 
©F  us  went  down !’ 

‘He  ordered  you  to  strike  !’ 

‘He  did,  and  it  is  the  first  time  such  an  order  came  from  his  lips,’  said  the 
man  with  a sort  of  sad  pride  in  the  character  of  his  chief. 

‘ What  is  the  name  of  your  vessel?’ 

‘El  Viento?’ 

‘ That  is  The  Wind  !’ 

‘ Yes,  ‘ The  Wind’  is  her  name  !’ 

‘ She  is  well  named?’ 

‘Have  you  brought  your  papers  on  board  with  you  ?’  asked  Wordley  with 
irony.  ‘I  suppose  they  will  say  that  you  are  from  port  Westerly,  bound  to 
port  Easterly,  and  that  your  captain,  is  captain  North  wind,  and  your  crew  are 
a crew  of  fresh  breezes !’ 

‘ We  have  no  papers,’  answered  the  man  doggedly.  ‘ We  are  what  we  are — 
free  travellers  of  the  waves !’ 

‘ Free  robbers  rather  than  travellers.  W hat  is  your  captain’s  name  ?, 
‘Captain  Rafael?’ 

‘That  man  I have  heard  of  before ; but  it  could  not  be  he,  for  he  was  shot 
in  Havana,  a year  ago ! A daring  fellow  he  was !’ 


RAFAEL. 


19 


The  man  smiled  significantly  and  said — 

* My  captain  is  also  called  Captain  Rafael,  sir.  It  is  a good  name  for  a free 
da g !’ 

‘ You  are  then  a pirate  ?’ 

‘ For  want  of  a more  courteous  term,’  answered  the  man  with  a smile  of 
reckless  hardihood.  ‘ But  it  is  not  worth  while  to  be  talking  here,  sir,  while 
our  scliooner  is  going  down  by  the  head  as  rapidly  as  she  can  sink.’ 

‘ Is  this  true !’ 

‘Your  last  shot  passed  out  under  her  bows  a foot  below  the  water-mark. — 
She  was  filling  when  I left  her!  Our  boats  too  are  stove,  save  the  one  I came 
in !’ 

‘You  are  confoundedly  cool  about  it,’  cried  Wordley  with  angry  emotion. — 
Lower  away  the  boats  all ! ‘Lively  men!  Four  men  to  each — no|more,  as 
there  will  be  enough  to  bring  back  ! I see  her  settling  by  the  head  plainly. — 
Give  way  towards  her,  andnotletthe  poor  devils  perish,  for  they  must  live  to 
be  hanged  ; and  I want  to  see  this  captain  Rafael  in  person !’ 

Three  boats  were  now  pulling  towards  the  sinking  vessel,  and  in  the  leading 
one  stood  up  Wordley  animating  his  boats’  crew.  In  a few  moments  she  had 
struck  the  vessel’s  side  and  he  was  upon  her  deck. 

‘Save  yourselves  all  of  you  by  the  boats,’ was  heard  in  his  commanding  voice 

She  is  settling  fast  and  will  soon  pitch  under.’ 

The  pirates  sprung  for  the  boats,  the  love  of  life  overcoming  every  other 
feeling,  and  soon  crowded  them.  As  fast  as  they  came  up  the  side  and  step- 
ped on  deck  they  were  ironed  and  sent  below.  Wordley  came  last  and  aided 
by  two  men  lifted  the  wounded  Captain  upon  deck  and  had  him  conveyed  to 
his  cabin,  and  being  himself  an  excellent  surgeon,  and  his  only  one  on  board, 
he  prepared  to  examine  his  wounds,  and  dress  them. 

‘ For,’  said  he  to  me,  making  use  of  his  favorite  pharse,  ‘ may  I never  see 
Boston  if  he  shant  live  to  be  hanged  !’ 


20 


RAFAEL. 


CHAPTER  V. 


As  the  schooner  was  taken  and  sunk  in  the  Spanish  waters,  Wordley  re- 
solved to  stand  into  Havana,  and  surrender  his  prisoners  to  Tacon  who  was 
then  governor-general  of  Cuba.  The  wounded  buccaneer  Captain  remained 
an  inmate  of  the  cabin,  and  as  he  seemed  to  be  a person  of  education  and  pol- 
ished manners,  Wordley  treated  him  with  great  kindness  and  attention  ; for 
he  was  not  a man  to  triumph  over  the  unfortunate  and  guilty. 

The  appearance  of  the  young  man  deeply  interested  us  both.  He  was  a- 
bout  eight  and  twenty  years  of  age,  with  a clear  blue  eye  and  fair  w-aving 
hair,  and  a countenance  naturally  mild ; but  to  which  familiarity  with  stem 
scenes  had  given  a character  of  decision.  The  wound  which  he  had  received 
was  comparatively  slight  and  did  not  produce  a single  complaint  He  remain- 
ed reclining  upon  a setee  which  Wordley  had  fitted  up  for  him,  with  a mattrass 
and  pillow,  and  seemed  lost  in  painful  thought.  At  intervals  he  would  raise 
his  eyes  and  turn  them  towards  me  as  I sat  reading  in  the  pleasant  draft  of  the 
cabin  windows.  Seeing  that  he  looked  as  if  he  wished  to  address  me,  I laid 
down  my  book  and  went  to  his  side.  Hitherto  he  had  not  made  any  reply  to 
any  questions  put  to  him,  but  seemed  to  desire  to  be  left  to  himself. 

‘ Can  I do  any  thing  for  you,  senorP’  I asked  in  Spanish. 

‘You  are  very  kind,’  he  answered  in  pure  English.  ‘I  would  like  to  know 
if  I am  to  be  taken  into  Havana  ?’ 

‘Yes.  We  are  within  three  hours  sail  of  that  Port  now,’  answered  Wordley, 
who  came  into  the  cabin  at  the  same  moment. 

The  pirate’s  countenance  became  very  pale,  and  he  appeared  to  be  strug 
gling  with  some  strong  emotion.  With  an  effort  he  resumed  his  composure, 
and  said — 

‘ I would  prefer  being  taken  to  the  States !’ 

‘ It  matters  little  whether  you  end  your  days  at  Key-West  or  in  Havana,  I 
should  suppose,’  answered  Wordley. 

‘ I have  reasons  for  not  wishing  to  be  delivered  to  Governor  Tacon,’  he  said 
impressively. 

‘ You  should  have  considered  those  reasons,  senor,  before  you  hoisted  the 
ree  flag!’ 

He  made  no  answer ; but  pressing  his  hand  upon  his  forehead  seemed  as  if 
either  in  mental  or  physical  pain.  Wordley  was  shortly  after  called  to  the 
deck  by  his  second  in  command,  when  the  prisoner  turning  to  me  said — 

‘ I should  like  to  relate  to  you  if  you  will  listen  to  me,  the  circumstances 
which  have  brought  me  into  the  condition  you  now  behold  me.  If  Captain 
Wordley  will  come  into  the  cabin  1 should  be  glad  to  have  him  hear  what  i 


RAFAEL. 


21 


have  to  say.  I went  on  deck  and  communicated  the  words  of  the  prisoner,  and 
Wordley  accompanied  me  below.  ‘My  motive  in  entering  upon  this  narra- 
tive of  the  history  of  the  past,’  he  said  after  we  were  seated  by  his  couch,  ‘ is 
not  to  excite  your  sympathy  or  seek  to  escape  the  punishment  that  is  justly 
my  due ! I know  that  I have  incurred  the  highest  penalty  of  the  laws  of  na- 
tions, and  I am  ready  to  meet  my  doom,  though  1 would  have  chosen  death  by 
the  hands  of  the  hangman  than  that  I am  destined  to  suffer !’ 

‘How  do  you  mean  ? asked  Wordley  with  surprise.  ‘ Tacon  never  honor’s 
buccaneers  by  shooting  them !’ 

No  ; would  that  such  could  be  my  death?  But  I am  doomed  to  a more 
dreadful  end ! know  you  that  I have  once  been  tried  and  condemned  for  this 
very  offence  against  the  laws,  and  that  I escaped  from  the  foot  of  the  scaffold 
on  the  morning  of  my  intended  execution.  Tacon,  the  Captain-general,  issu- 
ed a proclamation  offering  a large  reward  for  my  capture  and  declaring  at  the 
time  that  if  I were  re-taken,  I should  be  broken  daily  upon  the  wheel  till  life 
was  extinct ! This  is  the  horrible  death  that  awaits  me  if  I am  taken  to  Cuba. 
But  I am  not  a man  to  supplicate ! I have  sown  and  I am  willing  to  reap !’ 

‘Under  what  name  was  you  sentenced?’  asked  Wordley  with  interest 

‘ Under  that  of  Captain  Rafael !’ 

‘Is  it  possible  that  Rafael  the  pirate  is  my  prisoner!  Your  men  refused  to 
give  me  any  other  name  for  you  than  ‘ El  Capitan  !’ 

‘ I am  the  Rafael  Mates,’  answered  the  young  man  with  a flush  of  pride. 

‘ But  you  are  not  a Spaniard  ? You  speak  English  with  too  much  purity,’ 
said  Wordley. 

‘ I am  an  American!5 

‘ An  American !’  we  both  repeated  with  surprise,  for  we  had  made  our  minds 
from  his  very  fair  complexion  that  he  must  be  a young  Englishman. 

‘ Yes,  senores,  I am  an  American  and  a native  of  Virginia, of  what  part  I will 
not  now  reveal.  If  you  would  like  to  know  the  events  which  led  to  the  pres- 
ent result  I will  relate  them  to  you.  You  will  then,  perhaps,  find  that  I am 
less  to  blame  than  I seem  ; though  I do  not  desire  to  palliate  my  conduct ! — 
Circumstances  may  force  men  to  crime,  but  the  guilt  incurred  is  not  lessened 
thereby;  for  death  is  easier  and  more  honorable  than  life  supported  by  crime ; 
and  the  brave  can  meet  death  in  a hundred  battle  fields  on  the  earth,  for  wars 
cease  not  even  among  waters  ! 

‘ My  father  was  a man  of  fortune,  holding  a large  estate,  and  the  owner  of 
more  than  a hundred  slaves.  I and  a sister,  two  years  my  junior,  were  his  only 
children.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  I was  sent  from  home  to  a northern  universi- 
ty, where  I remained  until  I was  twenty-one,  when  I returned  home  to  find 
my  father  on  his  death  bed.  On  entering  his  chamber  and  approaching  his 
bed-side  he  waved  me  indignantly  away  and  closing  his  eyes  refused  to 
look  upon  me ! 

‘ Father,  my  dear  father!’  I cried  rushing  forward;  ‘ do  you  not  know  me! 


22 


RAFAEL. 


Do  you  not  hear  the  voice  of  your  son  Rafael?’ 

‘ Away — you  are  no  longer  my  son !’  he  cried  in  stern  accents,  articulating 
with  difficulty.  I looked  at  my  sister  who  stood  by  his  pillow,  but  her  silent 
glance  seemed  to  reprove  me,  while  she  said  in  an  under  tone — 

‘Leave  the  room,  I beg  of  you,  brother!  Your  presence  affects  him!’ 

‘ And  why  should  it?’  I cried  with  indignant  surprise.  ‘ Is  he  not  my  fath- 
er ? am  I not  his  son  ? Who  should  kneel  by  his  bedside  and  close  his  dying 
eyes  but  his  son?  There  is  some  horrible  mystery  here!’  And  thus  express- 
ing my  emotion,  I caught  my  father’s  hand  and  pressed  it  to  my  lips  and  kneel- 
ing by  his  side,  with  tears  implored  his  blessing  and  his  forgiveness  if  I had 
done  any  thing  to  incur  his  displeasure. 

‘The  words  ‘ False  and  degenerate  son  !’  escaped  brokenly  from  his  lips, 
and  after  a brief  struggle  for  breath  he  resigned  it  forever.  I rose  to  my  feet 
and  stood  gazingupon  him  with  horror.  My  sister  flung  herself  shrieking  up- 
on his  body,  and  overwhelmed  with  horror  at  the  words  that  rung  in  my  ears, 
I rushed  from  the  chamber. 

What  had  I done?  What  had  brought  upon  me  the  dying  anger  of  my 
father?  I was  unable  to  answer  the  question.  I put  to  myself  a hundred 
times  as  I paced  madly  up  and  down  the  long  piazza.  At  length  I became 
more  calm  and  resolved  to  seek  my  sister  and  learn  what  had  produced  this 
change  in  my  beloved  father’s  manner  towards  me;  fori  had  always  loved  and 
honored  him,  and  he  had  been  proud  of  my  filial  affection  for  him.  My  con- 
science accused  me  of  nothing ! I found  my  sister  Anna  weeping  in  her  cham- 
ber! 

‘ For  God’s  sake,  dear  Anna,  what  does  all  this  mean  ?’  I asked  as  I entered 
the  room  ; ‘ I have  not  been  at  home  an  hour  and  I am  received  like  an  enemy !’ 

‘I  am  surprised  you  should  ask  brother,’  she  said  with  a cold  look. 

‘ And  you  my  foe  too  !’  I cried  in  a sort  of  despair.  ‘J'What  horrible  mystery7 
is  this  ? What  have  I done  ? Speak  ! You  shall  answer  me  and  not  fty  from 
the  room  as  if  I were  a monster ! It  is  enough  for  me  to  have  my  father’s  dy- 
ing curse  ringing  in  my  ears,  without  your  hatred,  sister ! Why  am  I reciev- 
ed  and  treated  thus  ?’ 

‘ Do  you  mock  me ! My  father’s  displeasure  was  just ! What  you  have  re- 
cieved  you  have  only  merited  !’ 

‘ His  displeasure  just!  Merited  what  I have  received,’  I repeated  in  as- 
tonishment. ‘Three  years  I have  been  absent  from  home  during  which  time, 
1 have  acted  honorably  in  all  my  intercourse  with  the  world.  I have  not  in 
that  time  seen  you  nor  my  father  but  once,  two  summer’s  ago,  when  you  came 
to  visit  me  fora  few  weeks  and  I went  to  Saratoga  with  you.  Then  we  part- 
ed as  father  and  son,  as  brother  and  sister  should  part.  Since  then  I have 
not  met  my  father  to  incur  his  displeasure.  What  dreadful  crime  am  I sup- 
posed to  be  guilty  of?’ 

‘ You  cannot  deceive  me  into  the  belief  that  you  feel  now  differently  from 


RAFAEL. 


23 


what  you  felt  when  you  wrote  your  strange  letters ! I look  upon  you  as  an 
enemy  to  my  lather  and  to  me,  Rafael,  as  well  as  a foe  to  your  native  state, 
and  a rebel  against  its  laws !’ 

‘Are  you  mad?’  I asked  with  astonishment.  ‘ I must  believe  that  my 
father’s  reason  wandered  in  his  dying  moments  and  that  his  death  has  turned 
your  brain,  Anna!’  I said  kindly  ; for  I had  no  suspicions  of  the  astounding- 
crime  of  which  I was  supposed  to  be  guilty. 

‘No,  Rafael,’  she  answered  me  disengaging  her  hand  and  going  out  of  the 
room,  ‘ I am  not  deranged,  neither  was  our  father,  as  you  well  knew  I have 
loved  you  Rafael  as  a sister  until  the  developments  of  your  true  character 
made  it  known  to  me  that  you  were  unworthy  of  the  affection  of  a true  daugh- 
ter of  Virginia.  Recreant  to  your  native  land ! Defiler  of  her  good  name! — 
An  enemy  to  her  institutions ! A rebel  and  a conspirator  how  could  I acknowl 
edge  you  as  brother  ? How  did  you  expect  your  father  would,  on  your  return, 
recognise  you  as  a son  ?’ 

I was  utterly  confounded.  I gazed  upon  her  with  a surprise  too  great  for 
utterance.  Conscious  that  I had  been  innocent  of  every  act  unworthy  a gentle 
man  or  a true  son  of  Virginia,  it  was  easier  to  believe  that  she  was  deranged 
then  to  accuse  myself  of  any  unworthy  deed. 

‘ Anna,’  I said  following  her  into  the  hall  and  speaking  as  soothingly  as  it 
was  in  my  power  to  do;  for  I was  excited  by  grief  and  surprise. 

‘ I cannot  talk  with  you,  Rafael,’  she  answered  me  with  an  air  of  haughty 
displeasure  ; and  passing  into  a room  opposite,  she  closed  the  door  and  turned 
the  key  on  the  inside. 

I stood  petrified  with  amazement.  At  this  instant  a footstep  on  the  gallery 
caused  me  to  turn.  I beheld  with  pleasure  a gentleman  who  had  been  my 
tutor  and  my  sister’s  before  I entered  college ; and  who  had  for  a year  or  two 
after  I had  left  continued  to  instruct  Anna.  He  was  a New  England  man  a- 
bout  thirty  years  of  age,  with  an  intelligent  countenance,  and  a manner  and 
smile  extremely  prepossessing.  He  had  been  the  past  year  post-master  in  the 
town  near  which  we  lived,  and  to  which  all  our  letters  came.  He  also  was  a 
lawyer  having  been  engaged  in  reading  laws  while  he  was  tutor  in  my  father’s 
family. 

On  seeing  him,  I hastened  towards  him  with  my  hand  extended,  for  I had 
always  liked  the  man,  and  to  do  him  justice  he  was  a very  thorough  teacher. 
He  advanced  also  reaching  forth  his  hand  he  warmly  shook  mine,  expressing 
his  gratification  at  seeing  me  returned  ; but  at  the  same  time  manifested  his 
sorrow  at  the  death  of  my  father. 

I felt  relieved  to  find  one  person  to  meet  me  with  cordiality;  and  as  soon  as 
we  had  interchanged  the  first  words  of  meeting,  I implored  him  to  tell  me  if 
he  knew,  what  fearful  mystery  was  hangingoverme!’ 


24 


RAFAEL. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


THE  CONSPIRACY. 

‘The  Tutor  regarded  me  with  looks  of  surprise  when  I had  made 
this  demand  of  him  to  explain  the  mystery  hanging  over  me,’  resumed 
Rafael  after  a few  moment’s  silence,  during  which  he  seemed  to  surfer  equal- 
ly from  mental  and  physical  pain. 

‘ Do  you  not  know  what  I mean,  Mr.  Whanley  ?’  I asked.  ‘ But  no,  you 
cannot  or  you  would  treat  me  as  they  have  treated  me ! You  would  scorn  me 
too,  for  what  God  knows  !’ 

‘ Scorn,  Rafael,’  he  said.  ‘I  have  only  regarded  you  with  love  and  affec- 
tion.’  And  he  took  my  hand  and  pressed  it  with  friendly  warmth. 

‘ Then  let  me  tell  you  all,’  I said  overcome  by  his  kindness. 

‘ I knew  you  have  suffered  a great  loss  in  the  death  of  your  father,’  he  said, 
‘and  your  emotion  I can  easily  account  for.  His  death  has  been  expected  the 
last  ten  days ; though  you  were  not  written  to  as  you  were  expected  home 
daily ! Did  you  get  here  to  see  him  die  ?’  he  asked  earnestly. 

‘ Come  with  me  into  this  room,’  I said  drawing  him  into  the  library  and  clos- 
ing the  door!  ‘ Mr  Whanley  I then  began,  I have  seen  my  father  die!  I flew 
to  his  bedside  to  receive  his  dying  blessing,  but  he  refused  to  look  at  me ! he 
refused  to  speak  to  me  except  in  accents  of  horror  and  hatred  ! Thus  he  died 
denouncing  me  as  a false  son ! Before  I could  learn  from  him  the  cause  of 
this  conduct  towards  me,  his  spirit  had  flown  forever!  I then  sought  my  sis- 
ter to  learn  from  her  what  had  h?ppened  to  bring  my  father’s  hatred  upon  my 
head,  and  I found  her  equally  cold  and  hostile.  Dark  hints  and  fearful  suspi- 
cions was  all  I could  obtain  from  her!  You  appeared  and  met  me  as  they 
should  have  met  me,  kind  and  friendly  and  full  of  affectionate  pleasure  ! I am 
willing  to  attribute  something  to  my  sister’s  grief ; but  behind  all,  there  is 
some  dreadful  mystery  ! What  have  you  heard  against  me  ?’  I demanded  with 
tears  in  my  eyes. 

‘ Nothing,  Rafael,’  he  said,  ‘I  know  nothing  against  yon!  Your  relation 
surprises  me ! I deeply  sympathise  with  you ! If  you  desire  it  I will  endeav- 
or to  ascertain  from  your  sister  what  has  occurred  ?’ 

‘No,  no,’  I answered;  ‘I  will  see  my  sister  and  know  all  from  her  own 
mouth ! She  will  not  refuse  to  tell  me.  I shall  demand  the  knowledge  as  a 
right !’ 

‘ Such  was  my  reply  to  Mr  Whanley,’  continued  the  young  Captain  of  the 
schooner;  ‘and leaving  while  he  went  voluntarily,  as  he  said,  to  superintend 
the  laying-out  ceremonies  for  the  dead  and  arrange  for  the  funeral,  I hastened 
to  my  sister.  I did  not  find  her  in  her  room,  and  seeking  her,  discovered  her 


RAFAEL. 


25 


in  the  near  verandah  and  Whanley  just  about  to  take  her  hand  and  whisper  to 
her.  On  seeing  me  he  retired  suddenly,  while  I could  not  but  feel  surprised 
to  find  him  in  that  part  of  the  house  when  I supposed  him  in  the  other  wing  in 
which  my  father  had  died.  I observed  he  seemed  embarrassed  and  my  sister 
also.  But  I did  not  suspect  him  then  of  an  evil  toward  me. 

‘ 1 have  sought  you,  Anna,  I said,  to  have  an  end  put  to  this  suspense.  What- 
ever 1 have  done  to  bring  upon  my  head  the  displeasure  of  my  father,  is 
equally  known  to  you,  as  is  apparent  from  your  reception  of  me.  Now  tell  me 
at  once  what  I have  done?  You  have  thrown  out  terms  that  to  me  are  incom- 
prehensible. My  conscience  acquits  me  of  all  wrong  to  him  or  you  !' 

‘ I dont  know,’  said  my  sister  to  me  in  reply,  ‘ which  most  distresses  and  a- 
mazes  me,  your  guilt  or  your  hypocricy,  in  the  face  of  your  very  letter  to  dare 
to  deny  your  course !’ 

‘ What  letters  ? what  course  ?’  I asked  with  surprise.  ‘ For  God’s  sake,  Anna 
tell  me  what  I am  charged  with  ?’ 

‘ I will  answer  you  by  your  own  written  words,' she  answered,  ‘if,  as  it 
seems,  you  have  so  thoroughly  became  lost,  as  not  to  suspect  your  present  con- 
duct base  and  guilty.  If  you  have  become  so  deformed  as  not  to  suspect  your- 
self, I will  show  you  your  own  letters!’ 

As  she  spoke  she  led  the  way  to  the  room  I had  left  and  going  to  a desk  un- 
locked it  and  from  a package  of  letters,  took  out  one  and  handed  it  to  me,  say- 
ing— 

‘You  will  not  have  the  daring,  brother,  to  deny  writing  that?’ 

‘ No,’  said  I as  I saw  that  it  was  a letter  addressed  to  her  in  my  handwrit- 
ing and  mailed  at  New  Haven,  from  which  all  my  letters  had  been  written  for 
the  last  three  years. 

‘ And,  yet  you  ask  why  my  father  died  without  looking  kindly  upon  you,  or 
why  I receive  you  as  I have  done !’ 

‘ Then  what  can  1 have  written  in  this  letter  ?’  I exclaimed  unfolding  it  with 
trembling  hands  and  opening  it.  My  eye  run  hurriedly  over  the  page,  and  I 
was  instantly  struck  with  an  expression  that  I knew  [ had  never  penned.  This 
led  me  to  begin  and  read  the  letter,  when  I saw  with  astonishment  that  I was 
not  the  author  of  a single  line ! The  hand- writing  was  a perfect  imitation  of 
my  own  and  deceived  my  own  eyes,  but  the  language  of  the  letter  showed  me 
that  it  had  never  been  penned  by  me.  I read  paragraph  after  paragraph  with 
horror  and  indignation  and  revenge  at  my  heart.  I will  repeat  to  you  the  let- 
ter, senors  ! It  was  written  about  two  months  previous,  and  dated  at  College, 
and  mailed  at  the  same  Post  Office.  It  began  ‘ My  dear  sister  Anna, 

‘ I have  at  last  made  up  my  mind  to  communicate  to  you  the  change  in  my 
views  and  opinions  in  relation  to  our  southern  institution.  Brought  up  sur- 
rounded by  slaves,  and  from  earliest  infancy,  seeing  them  in  a position  inferi- 
or and  servile,  I naturally  conceived  that  this  was  their  natural  condition.  I 
have,  however,  recently  changed  all  my  views  and  opinions.  I have  learned 


26 


RAFAEL. 


at  the  north  the  great  truth  that  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal ! I have  also 
learned  to  regard  Africans  as  men  ! I nave  learned  to  view  not  only  the  traf- 
fic in  slaves  as  wicked  and  unjust,  but  also  to  regard  as  wicked  and  unjust, 
the  holding  in  bondage  the  children,  however  remote  the  generation,  of  slaves 
so  stolen  and  trafficked  for?  I have,  in  a word,  become  an  abolitionist ! But 
this  name  so  defamed  and  ignominous  at  the  South,  is  here  in  this  atmosphere 
of  freedom  and  human  liberty,  a distinction  of  honor.  I am  proud  of  the  ap- 
pellation ! and  I look  forward  to  the  time  when  I shall  hail  every  southern  man 
and  woman  as  an  Abolitionist!  To  the  emancipation  of  the  poor  slaves  I shall 
henceforth  devote  my  heart  and  hand,  my  purse  and  influence ! In  this  benev- 
olent enterprise,  I know  you  will  join  me,  my  dear  sister!  I have  no  time  to 
write  more  now ; but  in  a subsequent  letter  I will  enter  more  fully  into  the  sub- 
ject, and  unfold  before  you  the  arguments  which  have  made  a northern-man 
of  me.  I shall  also  write  to  my  father!  Your  affectionate  brother, 

Raphael.’ 

‘ The  whole  of  this  letter,’  I exclaimed  to  my  sister  as  soon  as  I could  com- 
mand language,  ‘ is  a vile  forgery ! I never  penned  it  in  my  life  !’ 

‘ But  there  is  the  Post-mark!  and  the  writing  is  your  own!  ‘ Nay,  even  the 
seal !’  she  said  looking  at  me  with  surprise. 

My  earnestness  impressed  her  ; but  still  she  looked  suspicious  and  taking 
out  another  letter,  handed  it  to  me  saying,  but  with  a doubtful  air, 

‘Nor  this  either  ? Is  not  this  your  writing?’ 

‘ It  resembles  mine  ! I should  say  it  was  mine,’  I answered,  ‘ but  for  what  I 
have  just  now  read.’ 

‘ Read  this  also,’  she  said  with  emphasis. 

‘ I will  repeat  to  you,  gentlemen,  what  I read;  for  the  words  are  grown  upon 
my  memory.  This  letter  was  addressed  not  to  my  sister,  but  to  my  father. — 
The  accurate  resemblance  of  the  hand-writing  to  my  own,  confounded  me. — 
It  began:  ‘ My  dear  father, 

After  mature  deliberation  I have  come  to  the  determination  of  writing  to  you 
upon  a subject  which  engaged  my  thoughts  and  influenced  my  actions.  Ed- 
ucated as  I was,  till  Ileft  home  the  idea  that  there  was  a moral  wrong  in  hold- 
ing our  fellow-beings  in  slavery  never  occurred  to  me.  As  a matter  of  reflec- 
tion it  never  entered  my  mind.  I regarded  bondage  as  the  natural  condition 
of  the  negro  and  never  troubled  myself  to  examine  into  the  wrongs  or  rights 
involved.  But  I have  had  my  eyes  opened  by  mingling  with  the  society  of 
northerners,  to  whom  slavery  is  detestable,  and  who  regard  slave-holders  with 
abhorrence.  From  them  my  mind  has  became  enlightened,  the  veil  of  dark- 
ness and  ignorance  has  been  removed,  and  the  atrocity  and  wickedness  of  the 
whole  system  has  been  revealed  to  me  in  the  clearest  light.  I am  now  a man 
and  a freeman ! I can  now  point  without  a blush  to  the  memorable  opening  of 
the  incomparable  Constitution  which  declares  ‘all  men  born  free  and  equal!’ 
Convinced  of  the  crime  of  slaver}',  I cannot  consistently  act  otherwise  than 


RAFAEL. 


27 


in  harmony  with  my  principles ! I have  written  to  you  the  change  in  my  feel- 
ings and  views  as  an  act  of  duty.  I feel  I shall  incur  your  displeasure,  but  I 
cannot  withhold  the  fact  from  you,  that  I have  become  what  I am  ! In  a 
word,  sir,  I feel  that  I can  no  longer  make  use  of  the  fruits  of  the  slaves  toil ! 
and  I candidly  tell  you  that  when  my  property  comes  into  my  hands,  if  I can- 
not prevail  on  you  sooner  to  do  it,  I mean  to  free  all  the  slaves  that  .fall  to  me. 
I may  be  impoverished,  but  this  will  not  alter  my  opinions  ; and  I shall  have 
the  proud  satisfaction  of  having  done  my  duty..  In  a few  days  the  course  of 
my  collegiate  studies  will  close,  and  I shall  return  to  my  paternal  home. — 
There  1 hope  to  convince  you  by  irresistable  arguments  that  you  are  in  the 
sight  of  God  and  all  true  men  guilty  of  oppression  and  !of  withholding  from  the 
laborer  his  hire.’  Your  aifectionate  son, 

Rafael.’ 

When  the  young  buccaneer  chief  had  ended  the  recital  of  this  letter,  he 
threw  himself  back  upon  his  pillow  for  a moment,  and  covered  his  face  with 
his  hands,  as  if  renewing  again  the  bitterness  of  the  hour  when  he  first  read  it 
in  his  sister’s  presence.  At  length  he  resumed: 

‘ This  letter  is  also  false  and  forged  like  the  other?’  I cried  to  Anna,  after 
I had  mastered  the  strong  emotions  of  anger  and  surprise  that  seized  me  on 
reading  the  second  letter  and  discovering  the  conspiracy  against  me.  My 
sister  regarded  me  for  some  moments  steadfastly,  and  then  said  impressively, 

‘ Do  you  speak  truly,  brother?’ 

‘ As  I have  a Creator  and  am  to  be  judged  by  him,  these  letters  are  false ! 
I never  wrote  a line  of  them.’  I answered. 

‘ Then  you  deny  the  principles ! You  are  not  an  Abolitionist  ?’  she  cried. 

‘No.  I am  a Virginian  and  a true  friend  to  my  native  state!  Some  one 
has  forged  these  letters  to  you  and  my  father,  for  what  end  God  knows  ! I am 
as  I was  when  I left  Virginia!’ 

‘ x\nd  have  you  not  received  any  letters  either  from  my  father  nor  myself  in 
reply  them  ?’  she  asked  firmly. 

' Not  one !’  I answered.  ‘ I have  never  got  a letter  alluding  to  these  letters, 
and  if  you  received  them  it  is  a wonder  I did  not!’ 

‘ It  is  very  extraordinary.  We  both  wrote  you ! And  you  replied  to  both  of 
us !' 

‘Replied?’  I exclaimed  thunderstruck. 

‘ Yes.  Here  is  your  reply  to  mine,  and  also  to  father’s  !’ 

‘ And  she  placed  two  letters  in  my  hand,’  continued  the  buccaneer.  ‘ I read 
them  and  found  indeed  that  they  were  mostskilfully  executed  replies,  in  which 
I defended  my  course  and  hinted  at  becoming  a public  declaimer  against  slav- 
ery from  the  forum. 

‘Then  you  are  innocent,  Rafael !’  cried  my  sister.  ‘ You  are  innocent  of 
all !’ 

‘ Yes.  I have  been  the  victim  of  some  dangerous  enemy  !’ 


28 


RAFAEL. 


‘ Then  you  have  not  thought  of  organizing  a secret  club  of  young  men  in  this 
State  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a revolution,  overturning  the  government  of 
the  State  and  establishing  one  upon  the  same  basis  as  the  States  of  New  Eng- 
land ? — a club  called  ‘The  Brothers  of  Liberty?’ 

‘Never!’  I answered.  ‘Has such  a charge  been  made  against  me  too?’ 
asked  overcome  with  surprise. 

‘Yes.’  She  answered.  ‘Six  days  ago  my  father  received  an  anonymous 
letter  informing  him  that  you  were  the  leader  of  such  a secret  party,  and  that 
you  were  in  correspondence  with  some  young  men  in  the  county  whom  your 
letters  had  brought  over  to  your  principles.  This  intelligence  was  credible  af- 
ter the  letters  we  had  received  and  it  so  distressed  our  father  that  his  sudden 
illness  may  be  owing  to  it;  for  although  a month  ago  he  had  a paralytic  attack 
he  was  getting  over  it.  But  this  letter  confirming  his  worst  fears,  was  a severe 
shock  to  him  and  he  sunk  under  it !’ 

‘I  am  not  surprised  now,’  I answered,  ‘ at  my  father’s  treatment  or  yours. 
These  letters  explain  all ! I must  now  find  out  who  my  enemy  is  ? Do  you 
suspect  any  one  ?’ 

‘ No  one,’  was  her  reply. 

‘ Nor  did  I,  then'  said  the  buccaneer  fixing  his  eye  upon  us  with  deep  feel- 
ing; but  I was  not  long  in  ignorance  of  my  enemy,  or  of  his  motives,  as  you 
shall  learn.’ 


RAFAEL. 


29 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE  VISIT. 

‘The  direction  in  which  my  thoughts  turned  to  discover  who  had  written 
these  letters,’  said  the  buccaneer,  ‘ was  the  northern  university  which  I had  just 
left.  The  letters  were  mailed  there,  and  it  was  my  impression  that  they  were 
written  there.  I therefore  began  to  revolve  in  my  mind  any  enemy  I had  there 
who  would  be  likely  to  endeavor  to  do  me  an  injury  in  this  manner.  But  I 
could  fix  suspicion  upon  no  one.  Whoever  he  was,  I was  at  least  satisfied  that 
he  knew  me  intimately  ; was  familiar  with  my  style  of  writing  as  well  as  a per- 
fect imitator  of  my  penmanship ; and  that  he  knew  when  I wrote  to  my  parents, 
and  when  they  wrote  to  me;  for  he  had  evidently  prevented  my  father’s  and 
my  sister’s  letters  from  reaching  me. 

‘ But  I will  not  detain  you,  gentlemen,’  said  the  wounded  man,  with  recapitu- 
ation  of  the  process  by  which  I sought  to  trace  these  letters  to  the  hand  that 
wrote  them.  Neither  my  sister  nor  myself  were  able  to  fasten  suspicion  upon 
any  one.  She  now  believed  me  innocent  and  we  were  reconciled,  and  it  would 
have  given  her  as  much  joy  almost  as  it  would  have  given  me,  to  have  discov- 
ered the  author  of  these  letters.  The  day  of  the  funeral  of  my  father  came 
and  we  followed  him  to  the  grave.  On  our  return  to  the  house  the  will  was 
opened  in  the  presence  of  my  father’s  attorney,  a justice  of  the  peace,  Mr. 
Whanley,  the  Tutor,  and  a few  relatives  who  remained. 

The  will  was  read  aloud  and  I found  to  my  confusion  and  dismay  that  I was 
disinherited.  Yes,  gentlemen,  my  father  acting  under  the  influence  of  those 
accursed  letters  had  cut  me  off  from  my  inheritance  and  made  my  sister  the 
sole  heir  to  his  property,  and  Mr.  Whanley  his  executor  '■  The  clause  affect- 
ing me  ran  thus : 

‘Whereas  my  son  Rafael  having  become  an  enemy  to  his  native  State,  an 
alien  from  his  father’s  affection, and  a traitor  to  every  honorable  feeling,  by  con- 
joining himself  with  the  Abolitionists  of  the  north,  I have  thought  it  best  to  de- 
vise and  bequeath  all  my  possessions  real  and  personal  to  my  beloved  daugh- 
ter Anna.  In  so  doing  I do  not  any  injury  to  my  son  Rafael  aforesaid,  inas- 
much as  he  has  in  his  letters  to  me  solemnly  declared  not  only  all  slavery, 
crime,  but  those  who  partake  of  the  fruits  of  the  slaves’  labor  criminals.  1 
leave  him  therefore  to  the  innocence  he  covets!’ 

‘ When  I had  recovered  a little  from  the  consternation  and  anger  which  the 
reading  of  the  will  had  produced,  I openly  and  publicly  declared  before  them 
all  that  I was  not  an  Abolitionist,  that  my  father  had  been  deceived,  and  that 
I was  as  true  a son  of  Virginia  as  I had  ever  been  ! But  my  protestations  of 
innocence  were  all  in  vain  towards  changing  the  opinion  formed  by  these  stand- 


30 


RAEAEL 


ing  around  me!  They  shrunk  from  me  with  horror  and  words  of  bitter  insult 
rung  in  my  ears. 

‘I  followed  my  sister  to  her  room  and  accused  her  of  having  influenced 
my  father’s  will  in  her  own  behalf;  but  with  tears  she  not  only  protested  her 
innocence,  but  also  convinced  me  of  her  entire  ignorance  of  the  tenor  of  the 
will  until  she  had  heard  it  read. 

I now  questioned  her  closely  with  reference  to  the  particulars  of  the  recep- 
tion of  the  forged  letters.  She  said  they  were  brought  to  her  and  her  father 
from  the  Post  Office,  by  the  servant  who  usually  went  to  the  office.  I then  ex- 
amined carefully  the  New  Haven  post-mark  upon  them,  comparing  it  with  that 
on  some  letters  which  1 knew  were  genuine.  After  a careful  comparison,  I 
was  satisfied  that  they  were  in  a very  slight  degree  dissimilar;  but  the  differ- 
ence was  so  trifling,  that  no  one  causually  observing  them  would  have  suspect- 
ed the  forgery.  The  difference  consisted  in  the  cross-bar  to  the  letter  H,  the 
bar  being  a heavier  mark  on  the  seal  stamp,  than  on  the  false  one. 

‘I  showed  this  to  my  sister,  and  we  began  to  endeavor  to  fasten  suspicion 
upon  the  author  of  these  forgeries.  But  all  our  conjectures  were  vain.  I 
resolved  to  seek  Mr.  Whanley,  and  lay  the  whole  matter  before  him.  This 
course  my  sister  also  advised.  I found  him  at  his  office,  and  opened  the  sub- 
ject to  him  as  I would  have  done  to  a brother.  But  first  I learned  from  him 
that  he  had  been  in  ignorance  of  my  father’s  intention  to  appoint  him  executor 
and  knew  nothing  of  it  until  the  will  was  opened.  If  I had  known  he  said  tak- 
ing me  by  the  hand,  ‘I  should  positively  have  refused  to  act  as  executor  to  a 
will  which  disinherited  you  1’ 

I told  all  to  him  and  read  the  letters  at  the  same  time  declaring  my  in- 
nocence. He  betrayed  the  utmost  sm  prise  and  promised  to  use  every  means 
to  make  known  the  perpetration  of  this  forgery.  I left  him  perfectly  satisfied 
of  his  friendship  and  confident  in  his  integrity.  But  all  my  efforts  to  divine 
the  author  of  my  wrongs  was  unavailing.  As  it  regarded  my  property  I did 
not  so  much  have  cause  to  regret  being  disinherited  as  my  sister  declared  she 
should  share  with  me  equally  in  the  patrimony.  By  Whanley’s  suggestion,  I 
resolved  to  visit  New  1 [aven,  and  get  there  if  possible  some  clue  to  the  author 
of  my  wrongs.  I departed  from  home  two  months  after  my  father’s  decease 
on  this  mission.  1 reached  the  place  of  my  destination  and  there  remained 
several  days  trying  to  find  some  clue  to  my  secret  foe.  Application  with  the 
letters  in  my  hand  to  the  Post-master  confirmed  my  suspicion  that  the  stamp 
was  forced  ! Nor  had  such  letters  been  mailed  on  that  day.  I was  convinced 
that  I must  seek  my  calumniator  nearer  home.  Then  gradually  for  the  first 
time,  suggested  I know  not  by  what  train  of  thought,  the  idea  of  Whanley  be- 
ing the  man  forced  itself  upon  me.  I rejected  the  suspicion  in  the  beginning, 
and  tried  to  throw  it  off,  "but  it  at  length  pressed  upon  me  so  strongly,  that  I 
resolved  to  return  home  at  once  and  charge  him  with  it ! 

On  reaching  my  father’s  house  I found  Whanley  in  possession ! He  met 


RAFAEL. 


31 


me  in  the  same  fawning  manner  as  before,  but  I rejected  his  hand  ; fori  had 
worked  myself  up,  by  thinking  of  circumstances,  to  the  conviction  that  Whan- 
ley  was  the  man  who  had  injured  me.  He  saw  by  my  manner  at  once  that  I 
was  not  in  humor  with  him,  and  being  guilty  he  divined  the  cause. 

‘ Why  this  coldness?’  he  asked  looking  very  pale. 

‘Why  are  you  here?’  I demanded. 

‘ As  the  executor  of  your  father’s  estate,  I am  here  to  protect  and  take  care 
of  the  house !’ 

‘ Where  is  my  sister?’  I demanded. 

‘I  have  sent  her  to  a boarding-school !’  he  answered 

‘ By  what  authority  ?’  I demanded. 

‘ That  of  her  guardian !’  he  responded  firmly. 

‘ Where  is  she  ?’  I asked  fiercely. 

‘ That  I shall  not  reveal  at  present !’  was  his  reply.  ‘ I am  not  to  be  bullied 
by  a beggar!’  was  his  rejoinder. 

‘I  seized  him  by  the  throat  and  charged  him  with  being  the  author  of  the 
letters!  By  my  own  slaves  was  he  rescued  and  I turned  out  of  my  father’s 
house  !’  But  I will  hasten  to  the  end  of  my  story  of  wrongs.  That  night  I 
received  intelligence  from  a faithful  negro,  who  came  to  the  tavern  whither  I 
went,  that  there  was  an  armed  party  coming  to  apprehend  me  as  an  abolitionist 
and  the  leader  of  a secret  abolitionist  club  which  I was  said  to  be  forming  in 
the  country.  He  brought  me  a horse  and  entreated  me  to  escape.  I did  so  ! 

I mounted  him  and  fled,  not  for  fear,  but  that  I might  have  time  and  opportun- 
ity for  revenge.  I was  the  next  day  but  one  in  Richmond,  when  I learned 
that  I had  been  out-lawed  by  a proclamation  of  the  governor  and  a reward  of- 
fered for  my  apprehension  ? I fled  also  from  Richmond  sailing  away  in  a brig 
bound  for  the  West  Indies.  For  three  years  I was  a wanderer  and  I became 
a pirate,  not  from  choice,  but  from  circumstances.  The  brig  was  shipwrecked 
and  myself  and  one  seaman  were  driven  ashore  upon  an  island  which  was  the 
resort  of  pirates.  I remained  with  them  three  years  by  compulsion,  for  each 
day  I was  burning  with  vengeance  against  Whanley  whose  conduct  was  to 
me,  a convincing  proof  of  his  guilt,  and  I was  filled  with  anxiety  about  my 
sisler.  At  length  the  captain  of  our  schooner,  of  which  I was  made  second  in 
command,  was  killed,  and  I succeeded  him.  The  very  day  I had  the  command, 
I steered  tor  the  United  States  and  entering  the  mouth  of  James  River  by 
night  ascended  and  anchored  within  a half  of  a mile  of  my  paternal  home. 

In  disguise  I went  ashore  the  next  morning  and  after  an  hour’s  cautious  ob- 
servation of  the  premises,  I saw  Whanley  come  forth,  mount  a saddle  horse 
which  had  once  been  my  own,  and  attended  by  a servant  ride  away,  After 
he  had  got  out  of  sight,  I advanced  to  the  door,  being  dressed  as  a common 
sailor,  and  asked  of  a negro  whom  I well  knew,  ‘ who  lives  there  !’ 

‘Mr  Whanley,  massa!’  was  his  reply. 

‘Is  Miss  Whanley  here  ?’  I asked  with  doubt  and  fear. 


32 


RAFAEL. 


'Massa  mean  mistress,’  he  replied.  ‘She  Missy  Whanley  once,  but  she 
marry  massa  Whanley  and  now  she  mistress ! Dare  she  be  now  ?’ 

‘ As  he  spoke,  I saw  appear  on  the  gallery  a lady  whom  I with  difficulty  re- 
cognised as  my  once  lovely  sister ! I saw  at  a glance  that  she  was  wretched. 
I approached  her  and  touching  my  hat  asked  her  if  she  would  let  me  speak  to 
her  alone,  as  I had  a message  from  her  brother ! At  this  allusion  to  one  whom 
she  supposed  dead,  she  uttered  a cry  of  joy  that  told  me  she  loved  me  still ! — 
She  led  me  into  the  library  where  we  had  had  our  first  interview  and  there,  I 
made  myself  known  to  her ! On  recognizing  me,  she  clung  around  my  neck 
and  with  tears  of  joy  welcomed  me  to  her  heart’s  embrace.  I asked  her  if  she 
was  indeed  married  to  Whanley  ?’  She  looked  alarmed  as  if  she  feared  he 
would  hear,  and  then  answered  ‘Yes,  and  I have  reason  to  weep  tears  of 
blood!  Know  you,  Rafael,  that  we  have  both  been  his  victims!  It  was  he 
who  wrote  those  letters — for  I have  discovered  all,  all — wrote  them  that  my 
father  might  will  to  me  the  whole  estate ! His  object  in  my  being  sole  inher- 
itor was  to  get  the  whole  into  his  possession  by  marrying  me.  He  it  was  who 
forged  those  letters  and  poisoned  our  father’s  mind,  and  he  it  was  who  drew  up 
the  will ! This  fearful  accusation  of  himself,  I had  heard  him  make  over 
and  over  again  in  his  troubled  sleep,  and  at  length  when  I was  convinced  of 
its  truth  enough  to  charge  him  with  it,  I did  so.  He  confeseed  it  all,  but 
threatened  my  life  and  that  of  my  infant’s  if  I dared  reveal  it  to  a human  soul. 
He  put  me  to  school  in  a retired  village,  and  under  circumstances  so  unpleas- 
ant that  I was  wretched.  He  came  to  see  me  and  told  me  if  I would  marry 
him,  he  would  remove  me  and  make  me  happy  in  the  world  of  fashion.  I con- 
sented, and  we  have  been  married  two  years!  Every  day  he  renews  his  hor- 
rid threat  to  me ! He  brought  me  a paper  containing  a notice  of  your  death, 
but.  which  he  must  have  forged.  This  was  that  I might  believe  I had  no  one  to 
appeal  to  ! It  was  he  who  got  out  the  writ  of  arrest  against  you,  and  induced 
the  governor  to  offer  a reward  for  your  apprehension !’ 

‘Judge  my  feeling,  gentlemen,’  said  the  buccaneer  Captain  with  strong  e- 
motion,  ‘judge  my  feelings  on  hearing  this  revelation  of  crimes  on  the  part  of 
a man  we  had  trusted  as  a brother.  But  I will  not  describe  what  I experien- 
ced. I talked  with  my  sister  and  told  her  what  1 should  do.  I told  her  that 
she  must  remain  passive,  and  let  no  feeling  for  the  father  of  her  child  lead  her 
to  interfere  with  my  vengeance.  I then  left  her! 

‘That  night  as  soon  as  it  wms  dark,  I landed  with  my  men,  surrounded  the 
house,  took  Whanley  and  carried  him  on  board  my  schooner.  I secured  him 
in  the  cabin  and  immediately  got  under  weigh.  I left  behind  the  following 
note  for  my  sister. 

‘Dear  Anna,  From  this  hour  enj  oy  your  estate  and  live  for  your  child — 
You  will  never  see  your  husband  more.  Within  three  days  you  will  be  a wid- 
ow! I free  you  forever  from  a tyrant  and  consummate,  at  the  same  time,  my 
own  vengeance ! Be  happy,  and  ere  long  we  shall  meet  again!’ 


RAFAEL. 


33 


* After  we  had  got  to  sea  I went  below  and  made  myself  known  to  Wbanley 
J never  witnessed  fear  and  horror  like  his ! I accused  him  of  his  crimes,  made 
him  confess  them  in  writing,  and  then  with  my  own  hands,  fastened  the  rope 
to  his  neck  by  which  he  was  the  next  moment  swinging  at  the  yard  arm  !’ 


34 


RAFAEL 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  REAPER. 

When  the  young  buccaneer  captain  had  ended  this  part  of  his  narrative,  he 
remained  a little  while  deeply  moved  by  his  feelings ; and  then  proceeded : 

‘Thus  was  I avenged!  I and  my  sister,  for  the  great  wrongs  we  had  receiv- 
ed at  the  hands  of  this  man.  As  circumstances  and  not  choice  had  led  me  to 
embrace  the  life  of  a pirate, I now  resolved  to  quit  the  career  I had  entered  up- 
on, and  on  my  vessel  reaching  Cuba,  I resigned  the  command  to  my  lieutenant 
and  took  passage  in  a merchantman  for  Virginia,  determined  henceforward  to 
dwell  on  my  paternal  estate  with  my  sister. 

At  first  I kept  private,  but  gradually  ventured  abroad  into  society,  and  made 
myself  known.  But  I first  sent  to  the  governor  the  written  confession  made 
by  Whanley,  and  received  from  him  the  assurance  that  I should  not  be  mo- 
lested as  he  had  been  long  satisfied  that  I was  innocent  of  the  crime  alleged 
against  me,  and  that  no  secret  society  had  been  organized  for  liberating  the 
slaves.  I did  not  of  course  tell  the  governor  that  I had  hanged  Whanley.  I 
represented  to  him  that  I had  piade  him  confess,  and  that  after  the  confession 
he  had  left  the  country. 

‘Rumors,  however,  soon  became  rife  that  Whanley  had  been  dealt  foully 
with,  and  murdering  him,  that  I might  possess  the  propertjr.  The  excitement 
against  me  grew  each  day  stronger;  but  as  I knew  his  death  could  not  be 
proved  against  me,  I resolved  to  brave  it  out.  One  evening  with  this  spirit,  I 
attended  a public  assembly  at  Richmond,  when  I was  recognised  by  a gen 
man  present  as  having  boarded,  with  my  schooner,  a vessel  in  which  he  was 
passenger,  and  plundered  her.  He  openly  charged  me  with  piracy  and  drew 
upon  me  the  indignation  of  all  present;  for  already  suspected,  it  was  easy  for 
men  to  believe  any  thing  against  me.  Officers  were  sent  for  to  arrest  me,  and 
I had  to  fight  my  way  out  of  the  hall  to  escape. 

‘ I now  knew  that  as  the  supposed  murderer  of  Whanley,  and  as  a recogni- 
zed pirate,  I should  be  hunted  down  and  that  the  old  story  of  my  conspiracy  a- 
gainst  my  native  State  ivould  be  revived,  and  that  under  all  these  charges  I 
should  be  crushed.  So  I spurred  to  my  sister’s  abode,  briefly  told  her  of  my 
danger,  collected  what  money  and  valuables  I could,  resumed  my  sailor’s  garb 
and  left  the  house  by  one  gate,  just  as  my  pursuers  rode  into  the  yard  by 
another.  I galloped  along  the  river-road  for  several  leagues  until  I fell  in 
with  a brig  just  getting  underweight  from  a tobacco  plantation  landing.  The 
brig  was  bound  for  Mobile.  I turned  my  horse  loose  and  was  received  on 
board  of  her  as  a seaman. 


RAFAEL. 


35 


The  eighth  day  out  as  we  were  passing  the  ‘ Double-Headed  Shot  Keys’  a 
schooner  hove  in  sight  to  windward  and  bore  down  upon  us.  As  she  came 
nearer  our  captain  felt  alarmed  and  said  he  feared  she  was  a buccaneer  ; for 
at  that  period  as  well  as  now  there  were  many  such  vessels  cruising  in  these 
waters  and  about  Cape  St.  Antonio.  This  remark  drew  my  attention  towards 
her  more  particularly  and  borrowing  the  glass  from  the  mate,  I looked  at  her 
and  confirmed  a suspicion  I had  already  conceived.  As  she  came  nearer  and 
before  she  hoisted  a green  flag,  I saw  that  she  was  my  schooner.  She  fired  a 
gun  over  us  and  finding  he  could  not  escape  the  Captain  hove  to.  The  schoon- 
er was  laid  along  side  and  my  lieutenant  who  was  a young  Spaniard  of  a noble 
family,  at  the  head  of  a score  of  men  leaped  on  board,  cutlass  in  hand,  shout- 
ing upon  all  to  submit.  I met  him  and  called  him  by  name.  He  started  back 
with  surprise  and  pleasure,  and  then  dropping  his  cutlass  embraced  me.  In 
a few  words  I told  him  why  I was  there.  He  insisted  on  my  resuming  the 
command,  and  as  I was  once  more  a wanderer  and  an  outlaw,  I yielded  to  his 
wishes  and  the  intreaties  of  the  men,  and  resumed  my  command.  Going  on 
board  I dressed  myself  in  an  uniform  I had  left  behind  me  ; and  when  I came  on 
deck  thus  attired,  and  resuming  authority  over  the  pirate  crew,  the  completion 
of  the  astonishment  of  the  captain  and  people  of  the  brig  may  be  conceived. 

‘Instead  of  being  plundered  and  their  vessel  burned,  I gave  the  captain  per- 
mission to  goon  his  voyage  unharmed  ; for  this  was  the  condition  upon  which 
I consented  to  accept  the  command- 

‘ I was  now  once  more  an  outlaw  ! I neither  defend  nor  palliate  my  course. 
Persecutions  and  unmerited  disgrace  had  rendered  me  indifferent  to  results. 
I knew  that  the  world  looked  upon  me  as  a conspirator  and  as  a murderer!’ 

‘ And  did  you  not  hang  Whanley  ?’  asked  lieutenant  Wordley  with  a look 
of  surprise. 

‘Yes.  But  I regard  not  that  act  as  a dishonorable  one.  It  was  a just  act  of 
retribution  upon  one  who  had  shortened  my  father’s  days,  poisoned  his  mind  a- 
gainst  me,  exiled  me  from  my  native  state,  and  wrested  from  me  my  rightful 
possessions  and  good  name  ! It  was  no  murder — it  was  justice!  The  laws 
of  the  land  could  not  reach  him;  and  rather  than  he  should  live,  I slew  him  ! 
I do  not  regret  it!  Whanley  is  dead,  but  I was  only  the  instument  of  justice 
human  and  divine  inpunishing  him!  ButI  care  not  now  to  excuse  anything 
I have  done  ;’  he  added  with  a gloomy  air.  ‘I  am  willing  to  abide  the  issue  !’ 

‘ The  day  after  I took  command  of  the  schooner,  we  fell  in  with  a vessel 
bound  to  Cadiz.  We  boarded  her,  were  resisted,  and  many  were  killed  on  both 
sides.  She  was  very  richly  laden  and  after  I had  taken  out  her  specie,  I let 
her  go  on  her  way.  But,  instead  of  proceeding  on  her  voyage,  she  put  back 
to  Plavana  and  reported  what  had  happened.  Three  armed  vessels  were  im- 
mediately despatched  in  three  different  directions,  and  by  one  of  them  I was 
captured,  and  taken  into  port.  My  schooner  was  anchored  under  the  guns  of 
the  Moro,  and  my  lieutenant  and  I were  thrown  into  one  of  its  dungeons, 


36 


RAFAEL. 


■while  my  men  were  placed  in  the  city  Carcel.  We  were  brought  to  trial  and 
Alvaro  and  myself  were  condemned  to  be  shot  with  forty  three  of  my  men,  the 
ensuing  morning.  We  were  conducted  from  the  c>tadelto  the  place  of  execu- 
tion. It  was  a level  green  plateau  overhanging  the  harbor.  The  height  was 
forty  feet.  My  schooner  lay  anchored  so  near  we  could  have  conversed  with 
any  one  upon  her  decks.  As  we  approached  the  verge  to  stand  in  line,  we 
were  unbound  and  told  to  form  in  front  of  a double  file  of  soldiers.  As  1 found 
myself  free  from  the  cords,  I bounded  suddenly  forward,  and  leaped  out  into 
the  air  beyond  the  precipice.  The  waters  closed  over  me,  and  being  a good 
swimmer,  I continued  to  move  rapidly  beneath  the  surface  towards  the  schooner 
and  rose  to  take  breath  some  distance  from  the  spot.  When  I did  so,  I saw 
the  air  filled  with  the  bodies  of  men,  flying  and  plunging  around  me  into  the 
flood.  Animated  by  my  example  Alvaro  had  followed  me ; and  the  men  seeing 
this,  broke  from  the  line  of  death,  and  in  a body  rushed  to  the  precipice  and 
made  the  leap  after  him.  For  a moment  the  soldiers  were  confounded  by  this 
movement,  but  recovering  their  self-possession  they  began  to  pour  in  their  fire 
upon  the  last  of  the  number,  so  that  out  of  the  leapers  three  struck  the  water 
dead  men.  The  air  now  rung  with  the  shouts  of  the  officers,  and  the  ringing 
of  musketry.  As  I looked  up,  I saw  the  verge  of  the  cliff  lined  with  the  troops 
who  were  firing  into  the  water  in  vollies.  Raising  my  voice,  I encouraged  my 
men  and  directed  them  to  swim  to  the  schooner,  but  to  keep  under  the  surface 
as  long  as  possible  at  a time.  I soon  reached  my  vessel  and  drew  myself  up 
over  her  bows  by  the  cable,  which  I instantly  cut,  setting  her  adrift.  The  men 
one  after  another  came  up  and  climbed  on  board.  Alvaro  did  not  appear,  and 
was  no  doubt  struck  by  a bullet.  Out  of  forty  three  men,  I counted  thirty  two 
that  came  offboard.  In  less  than  tour  minutes,  under  the  fire  of  musketry  from 
the  cliff,  I had  sail  on  the  schooner,  and  in  seven  minutes  we  were  out  of  reach 
of  tousket  shot ; but  five  more  of  my  men  were  killed  upon  the  deck.  Beyond 
the  Moro  a Spanish  frigate  lay  at  anchor,  and  she  opened  upon  us ; but  as  the 
wind  was  fair  and  fresh,  we  were  under  her  fire  not  one  minute  and  a half,  she 
being  unable  to  bring  her  guns  to  bear  except  in  a direct  line.  Yet  one  of  her 
shot  struck  us  carrying  away  our  stern-davits,  shivering  the  main-boom,  and 
killing  one  man.  In  thirty  minutes  from  the  time  we  got  under  sail,  we  were 
in  the  offing  and  bowling  along  with  a flowing  sheet,  at  the  rate  of  eight 
knots  !’ 

‘ That  was  a most  daring  escape said  Wordley.  ‘ I have  heard  of  it  be- 
fore. I arrived  in  Havana  three  days  after  it,  when  it  was  the  only  topic  of 
conversation  in  all  circles.  You  then  are  Rafael  El  Saltador,  or  ‘ the  Leaper ' 
as  men  have  since  denominated  you?’  added  Wordley,  gazing  upon  him  with 
manifest  admiration  in  his  looks. 

‘Yes,  I am  Capitan  Rafael,’  answered  the  buccaneer  with  a smile  like  pride 
visible  in  his  eyes.  ‘ A large  reward  was  now  offered  for  my  apprehension, 
and  it  was  proclaimed  by  public  manifesto  that  if  re-taken  I should  be  broken 
p the  wheel ! It  is  the  prospect  of  this  fearful  death  that  induced  me  to 
say  that  I would  rather  take  my  trial  in  the  States.  But  lam  willing  it  should 


RAFAEL. 


37 


be  as  it  is ! With  this  wound  in  my  side  I have  the  key  to  my  own  life,  and  at 
my  will  can  let  it  forth  !’ 

The  peculiar  significance  with  which  he  spoke,  could  not  but  make  a painful 
impression  upon  us.  We  were  all  three  silent  for  a few  moments.  Wordley 
was  deliberating  and  struggding  with  a desire  to  save  him.  But  his  duty  to 
his  country — to  society — to  himself,  was  a safe-guard  to  any  weakness  of  the 
heart. 

‘ Why  did  you  remain  then  in  these  seas,  surrounded  by  such  perils  ?’  he  at 
length  enquired  of  him. 

‘ These  waters  were  my  cruising  ground,  and  I had  no  wish  to  cruise  in  any 
others.  Perhaps,  too,  I was  influenced  by  a spirit  of  bravado  and  defiance,  I 
knew  that  vessels  were  abroad  in  search  of  me,  but  I had  made  up  my  mind 
not  to  be  taken ! I should  not  have  surrendered  now  but  to  an  American — a 
countryman,  and  having  received  as  I believed  a mortal  wound;  and  besides 
my  men  urged  it,  hoping  that  some  good  fortune  might  favor  their  escape  a se- 
cond time;  for  it  requires  great  resolution  for  men  quietly  to  sink  in  their  own 
vessel.  Chains  with  a faint  hope  of  life,  are  easier  conditions  ; and  so  we  are 
your  prisoners  instead  of  being  in  the  bottom  of  the  ocean  with  our  schooner !’ 

‘ You  were  bold  to  follow  that  merchant  ship  into  the  very  port  of  Key-west,’ 
remarked  Wordley 

‘ Daring  is  the  only  virtue  in  our  profession.  All  our  deeds  are  bold  of  ne- 
cessity. Our  existence  is  each  moment  a risk  1 Our  lives  are  every  hour  at 
stake!  For  some  weeks  past  I had  fallen  in  with  nothing  of  value  and  my 
men  were  becoming  dissatisfied;  and  I therefore  resolved  to  take  the  ship  if 
possible.  I had  chased  her  eighteen  hours,  and  to  have  her  to  enter  her  port 
after  I had  got  within  gun-shot  would  have  created  a mutiny  among  my  men. 
They  were,  however,  by  no  means  reluctant  to  put  about  when  they  discovered 
an  American  cruiser  lying  in  the  harbor.  Fortune  favored  you  and  I am  a pris- 
oner in  your  hands !’ 

He  concluded  his  narration  in  these  words  uttered  with  an  air  of  dignified  re- 
signation, and  then  sunk  back  upon  his  pillow  exhausted  by  pain  and  the  fatigue 
of  speaking.  It  was  clear  by  Wordley’s  countenance  as  he  rose  to  go  on 
deck  that  he  would  have  set  him  at  liberty  had  he  the  descretionary  power. 

‘It  is  hard  for  that  brave  fellow  to  die  on  the  wheel,’  he  said  to  me  as  I came 
up  and  stood  by  his  side.  ‘He  has  been  the  victim  of  circumstances  rather 
than  a depraved  man!  It  is  a pity  he  should  have  hung  the  villian  Whanley, 
when  he  might  have  done  his  business  by  a duel.  I delieve  if  he  had  taken  a 
different  course  and  brought  him  to  the  bar  of  justice,  hecould  have  convicted 
him,  as  well  as  cleared  his  own  reputation  and  kept  his  hands  from  blood! — 
Well,  he  is  a guilty  man  now,  however,  and  I suppose  deserves  his  fate ! But 
it  is  a great  pity,  for  he  is  a noble  fellow  and  has  the  heart  of  a lion !’ 

The  same  evening  we  anchored  in  the  harbor  of  Havana,  and  Wordley,  or- 
dering his  cutter,  pulled  ashore  and  waited  upon  the  Captain  general  to  inform 
him  of  his  capture  of  the  notorious  Rafael,  El  Saltador. 


38 


RAFAEL. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  PRISONER. 

The  rumor  of  the  capture  of  the  noted  Capitan  Rafael  soon  filled  the  city 
and  created  universal  satisfaction, especially  among  the  mercantile  community, 
whose  commerce  upon  the  ocean  this  daring  young  buccaneer  had  so  long  in- 
terrupted. On  Wordley’s  return  from  the  Palacio  of  the  Captain-general,  he 
was  accompanied  by  a party  of  the  palace-guard  whom  the  governor  had  sent 
for  the  purpose  of  escorting  our  formidable  prisoner  to  the  city  Carcel.  At 
Wordley’s  suggestion  they  brought  a litter,  as  Rafael  was  quite  to  ill  to 
walk.  Nevertheless,  when  the  officer  took  possession  of  him  he  had  him 
heavily  ironed  ; a broad  iron  collar  being  fastened  about  his  neck  and  secured 
by  a padlock  behind ; manacles  placed  upon  his  wrists  and  fetters  upon  his 
ancles,  from  which  passed  a heavy  chain  five  feet  in  length  connecting  them 
with  the  iron  collar  about  his  neck, and  linked  also  to  the  hand-cuffs. 

When  Rafael  had  been  thus  ironed,  he  took  leave  of  us  with  calmness,  and 
said  to  Wordley, 

‘ Fare  well,  sir ! To-morrow  I shall  be  in  the  other  world ! We  shall  meet 
no  more  in  this.  Accept  my  grateful  acknowledgements  for  your  humanity 
and  kindness  to  me.  Farewell  and  prosper  in  your  noble  profession.  What 
/have  done,  I have  done.  I must  bear  the  ignominy  of  my  own  acts.” 

fie  was  borne  upon  the  litter  into  the  barge  along  side  and  it  pulled  to  the 
shore  surrounded  and  followed  by  at  least  a hundred  boats  filled  with  those 
whom  the  knowledge  of  the  circumstances  had  drawn  to  the  scene.  When 
he  landed  the  crowd  upon  the  Quay  was  so  dense  that  the  soldiers  from  the 
Plaza  had  to  open  a passage  in  the  rear  to  the  water  for  the  escort  to  pass  up 
from  the  landing. 

Towards  sunset  we  also  went  onshore  and  walked  up  to  the  American  cof- 
fee house.  There  we  learned  that  “ El  Saltador  ” as  every  one  called  him, 
was  to  be  broken  on  the  wheel  at  nine  o’clock  the  next  morning  in  the  Campo 
of  Public  Execution’s  outside  the  walls  not  far  from  the  alameda. 

‘Poor  fellow,’  ejaculated  Wordley  ; ‘let  us  go  and  see  him  and  endeavor 
to  cheer  him  in  his  last  hours.  He  has  been  a great  criminal  but  there  is 
much  to  admire  in  his  character.  He  is  not  wholly  depraved.  I will  wait 
on  the  governor  and  get  permission  to  see  him  and  also  endeavor  to  have  his 
chains  removed.  Let  us  go  at  once  to  the  Palace  !' 

On  reaching  the  entrance,  W ordley  gave  his  name  to  the  sentinel  at  the 
gate  who  despatched  it  by  a sergeant  to  the  Captain-general.  In  a few  mo- 
ments he  returned  and  asked  us  to  follow  him.  We  ascended  the  spacious 


RAFAEL. 


39 


stair-case  of  the  Palacio  to  an  upper  corridor  at  the  opposite  side  of  which  was 
a spacious  hall  where  we  found  the  vice-gerent  of  Cuba  promonading  with 
two  Spanish  officers  dressed  in  gorgeous  uniforms.  On  perceiving  Wordley, 
His  Excellency  recognized  him  and  advanced  three  or  four  steps  to  meet  him. 

‘ Ah  Senior  Capitan  Americano,’  he  exclaimed  with  a smile  of  great  satis- 
faction. ‘ I am  glad  to  see  you.  I was  about  to  send  a message  on  board 
your  vessel  of  war  inviting  you  to  do  me  the  honor  to  dine  with  me  to-morrow. 
You  have  done  me  and  all  men  great  service  in  capturing  this  buccaneer 
whom  we  have  so  long  desired  to  take,  and  the  highest  honors  we  can  render 
you  will  poorly  express  our  pleasure  and  indebtedness!’ 

‘ I have  but  done  my  duty  as  an  officer  in  the  service  of  my  country,’  answer- 
ed Wordley.  ‘Has  your  Excellency  yet  spoken  with  the  prisoner?’ 

‘ No!  He  lies  in  the  dungeon  of  the  condemned  in  chains  ! 1 will  see  him 
when  he  is  led  forth  to  execution!’ 

‘Is  your  Excellency  aware  that  he  is  wounded  ?’ 

1 Yes.  Is  it  severely  ?’ 

‘ So  much  so,  that  without  being  chained  there  is  little  fear  that  he  will  es- 
cape. I should  esteem  it  a favor  if  your  Excellency  would  give  orders  to  take 
off  his  chains  and  let  the  last  hours  of  his  unhappy  life  be  lightened  !’ 

‘I  fear  the  man  too  much,  Senor  Capitan,  not  to  take  the  greatest  precau- 
tions against  his  escape.  He  is  a daring  man,  and  would  escape  where  no 
other  man  could ! Pardon  me, but  I must  decline  acceding  to  your  humane  re- 
quest. I am  resolved  this  man  shall  not  elude  me.  He  shall  be  broken  on  the 
wheel  to-morrow  as  I live  ! Once  I have  condemned  him  to  be  shot ; a second 
time  I have  condemned  him  to  the  wheel  1 He  shall  not  have  the  hair’s  breadth 
of  a chance  given  him  for  a third  condemnaton  and  sentence.  Twice  con- 
demned is  enough  ! What  other  favor  have  I it  in  my  power  to  grant  you  ?’ 
‘Permission,  with  my  friend, to  visit  Captain  Rafael  in  his  cell!’ 

‘That  I will  grant  and  will  myself  accompany  you,’  answered  Tacon  with 
animation.  I would  like  to  see  him.  Come  in  and  take  coffee  with  me,  and 
after  a cigar  we  will  proceed  to  his  prison  !’ 

We  accompanied  the  Captain-general  across  the  noble  hall  and  being  join- 
ed by  the  Spanish  officers  were  issued  by  a slave  into  a cool  verandah  open- 
ing upon  an  orange  and  lemon  garden  where  coffee  and  cigars  awaited  us.  It 
was  just  after  sunset,  and  the  mellow  radiance  of  the  golden  twilight  pervad- 
ed all  the  atmosphere.  The  air  was  laden  with  the  fragrance  of  innumerable 
flowers,  and  the  branches  of  the  orange-trees  were  filled  with  singing  birds, 
and  fountains  cooled  the  air  ! The  hum  of  the  busy  city,  scarcely  penetrated 
to  this  retired  spot  where  the  energetic  Captain-general  of  Cuba  threw  off  the 
cares  and  restraints  of  his  responsible  position. 

Coffee  of  delicious  fragrance  was  handed  to  us  by  slaves  dressed  in  muslin 
trousers  and  jackets,  and  others  followed  with  semillas,  a hard  sweet  buscuit, 
and  another  with  cigars  on  a silver  salver,  and  another  with  a silver  lamp. — 


40 


RAFAEL. 


We  did  not  take  our  seats  around  a table  but  upon  settees  and  ottomans  placed 
around  the  verandah  in  the  coolest  situations.  The  governor  and  Spanish 
officers  smoked  and  drank  coffee,  whiffed  and  sipped  alternately  with  infinite 
gusto.  We,  however,  contented  ourselves  with  taking  the  cigars  after  coffee. 
If  any  thing  could  have  surpassed  the  delicate  flavor  of  the  coffee,  it  was  the 
flavor  of  the  cigars.  Out  of  Havana  such  luxuries  as  the  governor  regaled  us 
with  are  unknown.  They  were  truthfully  named  ‘Ttegalias.’ 

While  we  were  smoking  Wordley  enquired  what  was  to  be  done  with  the 
pirate-crew  which  had  been  removed  from  the  schooner  of  war  to  the  city  pris- 
on. 

‘ They  are  to  be  hung  to-morrow,’  answered  Tacon  firmly.  ‘All  of  them  but 
eleven  are  those  who  escaped  with  El  Saltador.  But  I shall  hang  them  all  a- 
like  without  trial,  for  these  men  should  not  have  been  in  such  company  if  they 
expected  any  clemency.’ 

‘No  pirate  deserves  to  live  an  hour  after  his  capture,’  said  one  of  the  Span- 
ish officers.  ‘ Taken  under  a piritical  flag  is  enough  to  hang  them  without 
trial ! They  are  .all  too  inhuman  to  live  !’ 

‘ Not  so,  Don  Ferdinand,’  said  the  Captain-general  smiling.  ‘ So  long  as  I 
have  a neice  I shall  remember  that  but  for  one  of  these  pirates  she  would  have 
been  lost  to  me  forever !’ 

‘How  was  he  of  service  toiler,  your  Excellency?’  asked  Wordley  with  true 
Yankee  inquisitiveness. 

‘In  this  way,’  answered  the  Governor  lighting  a third  ‘Regalia.’  Three 
years  and  a half  ago  my  brother  died  in  Spain.  He  was  a widower  with  only 
one  child,  at  the  time  of  his  death.  This  child,  a lovely  girl  of  thirteen,  he 
bequeathed  to  my  paternal  care  and  affection.  1 sent  for  her  to  come  to  Cu- 
ba, and  in  a Spanish  brig  of  war  that  was  soon  to  sail.  The  day  before  she 
was  to  embark,  the  brig  of  war  wrecked,  with  half  the  vessels,  in  the  port  of 
Cadiz,  upon  the  quay.  My  neice,  the  Donna  Leonor,  anxious  to  reach  me,  em- 
barked in  a merchant  vessel  which,  when  within  four  days  of  Havana,  was 
chased  and  captured  by  a pirate.  They  plundered  the  vessel  of  the  most  valu- 
able articles  they  could  lay  their  hands  on,  and  the  buccaneer  captain  struck 
with  the  beauty  of  Donna  Leonor  determined  to  take  her  and  her  servants  on 
board  of  his  vessel,  leaving  the  ship  to  proceed  on  her  voyage.  He  was  only 
prevented  from  carrying  the  fancy  into  execution  by  his  lieutenant,  a very 
young  man,  and  as  Donna  Leonor  describes,  very  handsome  and  noble,  who 
interfered  to  protect  her  at  the  risk  of  his  own  life, threatening  to  shoot  his  cap- 
tain dead  upon  the  spot  if  be  dared  to  lay  his  hand  upon  her.  The  young  offi- 
cer was  seconded  by  several  of  the  pirates  whom  he  called  around  him,  and 
the  buccaneer  captain  sullenly  yielded  to  the  conti  ol  of  a spirit  more  indomita- 
able  than  his  own.  In  a word  Donna  Leonor  was  saved  the  ignominy  and 
wretchedness  of  becoming  a Corsair’s  bride  by  the  young  man’s  daring;  and 
the  vessel  was  suffered  to  proceed  on  her  voyage  bringing  me  my  loved  niece 


RAFAEL, 


4fl 


in  safety.  She  now  never  hears  of  pirates  being  taken  that  she  does’nt  ass 
me  to  be  sure  before  they  are  shot  that  ‘ her  preserver,’  as  she  terms  the  bold 
young  pirate,  is  not  one  of  them !’ 

Wordley  and  I looked  at  one  another  during  this  recital  and  exchanged 
looks  of  surprise  and  of  mutual  intelligence.  Facts  precisely  like  these  Rafael 
had  related  to  us  subsequently  to  the  general  narrative  he  had  given  of  his 
life  ; and  had  stated  that  they  occurred  when  he  was  acting  under  his  first 
captain.  He  did  not,  however,  say  who  the  young  maiden  was,  whom  he  had 
protected;  and  it  is  probable  that  her  rank  was  concealed  from  him  by  the  Span- 
ish Captain,  lest  large  ransom  should  have  been  demanded.  If  Rafael  had 
known  the  young  girl  he  had  protected  to  be  the  niece  of  the  Captain-general, 
it  would  have  been  natural  that  he  should  have  made  known  to  him  his  servi- 
ces when  he  was  formerly  his  prisoner.  But  then,  his  pride  was  so  high,  it  is 
doubtful  whether  he  would  have  condescended  to  take  advantage  of  such  a 
circumstances  towards  mitigating  his  sentence. 

‘I  have  heard  Captain  Rafael  relate  a similar  incident  in  which  he  was  as 
actor,  your  Excellency,’  said  Wordley.  ‘ I should  not  be  surprised  if  he  should 
prove  to  have  been  the  gallant  man  who  saved  your  niece,  Donna  Leonor!’ 

* Was  Don  Rafael  second  in  command  at  the  time,  and  was  it  about  three 
years  and  a half  ago  ?’ 

‘ Yes,  your  Excellency,  so  he  informs  us  !’ 

‘ Did  he  tell  you  the  name  of  the  ship  on  board  which  the  young  girl  he  pro- 
tected was  passenger  ?’ 

‘ The  Carlos  III.’ 

The  very  same  vessel  in  which  Donna  Leonor  came !’  exclaimed  the  Cap- 
tain general  with  surprise.  ‘Can  it  be  possible  this  is  the  same  person?’ 

‘It  must  be  without  question,’  answered  Wordley. 

‘I  trust  it  will  not  prove  so,’  answered  his  Excellency  with  alook  of  anxiety, 
‘I  should  be  sorry  to  execute  a man  who  has  done  me  and  mine  such  good 
service ! But  we  will  ascertain  this !’ 

The  Captain-general  then  gave  orders  to  have  ‘El  Saltador’  brought, in  chains 
as  he  was, into  his  presence.  The  day  had  now  closed  and  numerous  wax  can- 
dles supplied  the  loss  of  day-light.  While  the  captain  of  the  body-guard  was 
despatched  for  the  prisoner,  His  Excellency  went  out  and  soon  returned  lead- 
ing in  a lovely  girl  of  seventeen,  with  dark  Castillian  eyes  and  hair,  and  a form 
of  bewitching  symmetry.  He  presented  us  to  her  as  the  Donna  Leonor,  his 
neice.  In  a few  moments  the  clinking  of  chains  and  the  tramp  of  the  heavy 
feet  of  the  soldiers  who  bore  the  litter,  announced  the  approach  of  Rafael. — 
They  entered  and  deposited  their  burden.  Rafael  reclined  upon  his  elbow 
and  looked  calmly  around.  He  was  very  pale  but  his  countenance  was  firm 
and  composed.  It  wore  a slight  air  of  surprise  as  if  wondering  why  he  had 
been  brought  into  the  presence  of  Tacon. 

‘ Leonor,’  said  the  Governor,  ‘look  well  at  the  prisoner,  and  — — ’ 


42 


RAFAEL. 


Before  he  could  complete  what  he  was  about  say,  she,  who  had  been  all  the 
while  attentively  regarding  him,  exclaimed — 

‘ It  is  he !’ 

Who,  LeonorF 

‘My  preserver!  Oh,  uncle  spare  him,  if  he  is  thy  prisoner!’ 

‘It  is  Rafael  El  Saltador  ! Shall  I spare  him !’ 

‘El  Saltador!’  she  exclaimed  with  a start  of  alarm. 

‘ It  is  he  ? Is  he  the  same  who  saved  you  from  the  Pirate  chief?’ 

‘ He  is !’  she  answered  earnestly. 

The  expression  of  Rafael’s  face  showed  plainly  that  he  recognized  her,  but 
he  remained  silent,  waiting  the  issue,  and  gazing  on  her  with  a look  of  grati- 
tude and  surprise. 


RAFAEL. 


43 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  WHEEL. 

The  emotion  of  Donna  Leonor  on  recognising  her  protector  and  beholding 
him  in  chains  before  her,  rendered  her  insensible  to  the  consideration  that  he 
was  the  notorious  buccaneer  ‘ El  Saltador,’  whose  deeds  were  the  theme  of 
every  tongue.  She  approached  him  and  laying  her  hand  upon  his,  while  her 
dark,  beautiful  eyes  were  swimming  with  tears  of  pity  and  gratitude—- 

‘ Noble  Don  Rafael,  I thank  Heaven  for  giving  me  an  opportunity  of  express- 
ing  to  you  my  gratitude,  though  I am  grieved  that  it  is  under  circumstances  to 
yourself  so  unfortunate.  The  good  deed  you  performed  forme,  wiil  never  be 
obliterated  from  my  memory.  You  saved  my  life  and  honor ! I will  save 
yours  ! 

Then  turning  from  him,  she  approached  her  uncle  the  Captain-general  who 
had  been  regarding  her  with  a countenance  full  of  perplexity. 

‘ Uncle,  I ask  of  you  the  life  of  your  prisoner?’  she  cried  with  eloquent 
earnestness.  ‘Do  not  refuse  me!  I know  that  he  has  forfeited  it!  I know 
that  he  is  twice  condemned  ! I know  that  he  has  done  evil ! But  spare  him 
for  my  sake ! But  for  him  I should  have  been  lost  to  you  forever  ? — 
But  for  him,  instead  of  the  happiness  I enjoy  in  your  presence  and  under  your 
paternal  protection,  I should  have  been  wretched  and  degraded  ! Let  not  the 
preserver  of  my  life  die  !’ 

‘ I know  that  something  is  due  to  him,  Leonor,’  answered  the  Captain-gen- 
eral looking  very  much  troubled,  his  feelings  evidently  struggling  betweenhis 
duty  as  a man  and  as  a ruler,  with  a strong  bias  towards  clemency.  ‘ But  if 
I pardon  Don  Rafael  how  shall  I appease  the  public  ? They  will  demand  his 
death!  They  wait  to  witness  his  execution!  I dare  not  disappoint  them 
without  sufficient  reason ; and  the  fact  that  he  rescued  you,  my  niece,  I fear 
will  weigh  little  with  them  at  such  a time  ! I fear  El  Saltador  must  die!’ 

‘No — no!  He  must  not  die  !’  she  cried  fervently.  It  shall  never  be  said 
that  you  were  insensible  to  the  dictates  of  generosity,  you,  who  owe  so  much 
to  Don  Rafael ; that  is  if  you  value  me,  whom  he  has  preseved  to  you  !’ 

‘ Do  not  plead  for  me,  noble  signora,’  said  Rafael  with  a glowing  cheek 
and  a sparkling  eye  as  if  his  heart  swelled  with  gratitude  to  her,  for  her  inter- 
est in  his  fate, — ‘I  have  been  condemned  and  am  ready  to  meet  my  fate — that 
is  die — though  I would  not  die  on  the  wheel !’ 

‘ You  shall  not  die,  Don  Rafael ! My  uncle  will  pardon  you ! He  is  too 
noble  to  take  the  life  of  one  who  saved  mine !’ 


44 


RAFAEL. 


‘I  will  mitigate  his  sentence,  niece,’  answered  the  Captain-general.  ‘He 
shall  not  be  broken  on  the  wheel.  I will  substitute  instead  the  soldier’s 
deatli !’ 

‘ He  must  not  die,’  answered  Leonor  with  firmness.  ‘ I will  protect  him 
with  my  life  ! If  it  is  of  no  value  to  other’s  it  is  to  him,  and  as  he  has  preserv- 
ed it  h?  shall  have  the  protection  it  can  afford  him  !’ 

As  she  spoke  the  spirited  and  generous  Spanish  girl  left  her  uncle  and 
placed  herself  by  the  side  of  the  prisoner.  Her  uncle  regarded  her  for  some- 
moments  with  surprise  and  seemed  to  be  endeavoring  to  discover  whether 
there  was  not  a feeling  in  all  this  conduct  deeper  than  mere  gratitude.  At 
length  his  mind  seemed  to  be  made  up.  He  approached  Rafael  and  said  with 
dignity — 

‘ Young  man,  for  the  sake  of  my  neice  I pardon  you  ! It  shall  never  be  said 
of  me  that  I sacrificed  the  life  of  own  who  saved  the  life  of  my  neice  ! Re- 
move his  chains !’ 

This  order  was  given  to  the  Captain  of  his  guard  who  stood  near,  and  a 
smith  being  sent  for,  his  irons  were  soon  taken  off  and  borne  from  the  apart- 
ment. With  a slight  exertion  Rafael  raised  himself  from  the  litter  and  seiz- 
ing the  hand  of  Leonor  kissed  it  with  an  air  of  grateful  respect.  She  threw 
herself  upon  her  uncle’s  bosom  and  wept  for  joy,  overwhelming  him  with  her 
thanks  and  praises  for  his  goodness. 

‘There  is  a condition  with  your  freedom,  senor,’  said  the  Governor  turning 
to  Rafael;  it  is  that  you  leave  the  island  within  three  days,  and  pledge  me 
your  honor  as  a man,  for  I believe  you  will  regard  sacredly  such  a pledge,  that 
you  will  never  return  hither.  The  penalty  for  appearing  here  again  be  as- 
sured will  be  death  ? 

Rafael  on  hearing  this  condition,  glanced  at  the  beautiful,  earnest  face  of 
Leonor  and  then  answered  sadly  — 

‘1  give  your  Excellency  the  pledge  you  solicit !’ 

But  he  looked  as  if  banishment  from  the  presence  of  the  lovely  girl,  were  a 
punishment  scarce  less  than  death.  Between  her  and  him  there  was  apparent, 
to  an  observing  eye,  a tender  sympathy  of  interest  already  awakened,  which 
time  and  opportunity  would  surely  ripen  into  love.  Leonor  looked  as  if  she 
would  rather  the  condition  had  not  been  annexed  ; but  she  was  silent. 

‘You  have  a wound,’  said  the  governor  to  the  young  man!  My  surgeon 
shall  attend  to  it!  You  shall  be  removed  to  ^ suitable  apartment,  where  you 
will  be  held  as  a prisoner  until  a Spanish  vessel,  now  in  port  sails  for  the  Uni- 
ted States  on  board  which  1 will  have  you  secretly  conveyed.  The  knowl- 
edge of  your  pardon  shall  remain  a secret  from  the  multitude!’ 

‘How  will  you  prevent  their  knowing  it?’  asked  one  of  the  Spanish  officers 
with  a look  of  surprise. 

‘ I shall  find  a way,’  answered  the  governor  dryly. 

Rafael  after  his  chains  were  removed,  getting  energy  from  the  sight  of  the 


RAFAEL. 


45 


lovely  girl  whom  he  had  served  and  whom  he  never  forgotten,  and  inspired  by 
the  pardon  he  had  so  unexpectedly  obtained  through  her  intercession,  felt 
stronger  in  heart  and  body,  and  able  to  sustain  himself  without  the  litter. — • 
Leaning  on  the  arm  of  one  of  the  soldiers,  he  was  conducted  from  the  room. 
As  he  left  he  bowed  to  each  of  us  and  waved  his  hand  in  forewell.  Leonor 
stood  pale  and  silent  regarding  him  attentively,  and  with  all  her  woman’s  soul 
in  her  eyes.  Their  eyes  met  for  an  instant,  and  as  the  electric  arrow  darts 
from  cloud  to  cloud,  so  love’s  arrows  darted  from  heart  to  heart  in  that  brief 
glance,  and  it  needed  not  a magician  to  tell  me  two  souls  were  made  one! 

CONCLUSION. 

The  ensuing  morning  we  went  early  on  shore,  curious  to  witness  how  the 
populace  would  conduct  on  learning  that  they  were  to  be  deprived  of  thegrat- 
ification.of  seeing  ‘ElSaltador’  broken  upon  the  wheel.  We  expected  to 
find  the  streets  filled  with  an  excited  and  incensed  multitude.  But  to  our 
surprise  we  found  that  there  had  been  no  public  notice  given  by  the  governor 
of  the  pardon  of  Rafael.  The  whole  city  was  in  motion  towards  the  Campo 
and  all  was  animation  with  the  prospect  of  the  expected  spectacle.  We  join- 
ed the  moving  throng  towards  the  place  of  execution,  desirous  of  seeing  how 
they  would  bear  the  disappointment,  and  prepared  to  behold  some  fearful  com- 
motion as  the  result  of  Tacon’s  clemency. 

On  reaching  the  ‘ Campo  ’ which  was  a waste  field  outside  of  the  walls,  we 
found  several  thousand  persons  already  assembled,  and  the  gallows  upon  which 
the  crew  of  the  captured  pirate  vessel  were  to  he  hung,  erected,  and  the  rack 
or  ‘ wheel  ’ placed  near  it.  The  former  was  full  forty  feet  in  length,  it  being 
constructed  for  the  purpose  of  hanging  the  whole  party  at  once. 

‘The  people  will  be  content  with  the  hanging,’  said  Wordley;  ‘ and  per- 
haps glutted  with  the  death  of  the  pirates,  will  not  feel  their  disappointment 
in  not  having  the  additional  spectacle  of  Rafael  broken  upon  the  wheel !’ 

While  he  was  speaking  the  pirates  were  escorted  to  the  gallows  by  a batta- 
lion of  troops,  and  after  the  priests  had  performed  the  last  offices  of  religion, 
they  were  executed. 

But  it  was  plain  from  the  indifference  with  which  this  sight  was  witnessed 
by  the  Habaneros  that  they  were  reserving  the  edge  of  their  appetite  for  the 
less  ordinary  execution  upon  the  wheel.  The  execution  of 1 El  Saltador’  was, 
besides,  worth  more  then  that  of  three  score  pirates  to  witness ; and  for  this 
spectacle  all  were  now  on  the  eve  of  the  most  exciting  expectation. 

‘I  dont  know  how  the  Captain-general  will  appease  this  curiosity,’  observed 
Wordley  as  we  overheard  the  remarks  of  the  spectators  to  each  other  in  antic- 
ipation of  the  fearful  ‘afterpiece  ’ to  the  tragedy  they  had  just  witnessed. 

Every  eye  had  been  fixed  upon  the  wheel  and  all  at  once  a deep  murmur  swept 
over  the  multitude  like  the  wind  stirring  the  leaves  of  a forest. 


46 


RAFAEL. 


‘There  he  is!’  flew  from  tongue  to  tongue.  Could  it  be  possible?  The 
executioner  was  actually  conducting  a man  upon  the  platform  of  the  rack. — 
From  the  distance  at  which  we  stood  we  had  no  doubt  but  that  it  was  Rafael. 
We  exchanged  remarks  of  surprise  at  the  Governor’s  perfidy,  and  turnedaway 
with  horror  from  the  painful  scene! 

The  fearful  wheel  began  to  do  its  work.  The  air  rung  with  two  or  three 
piercing  shrieks!  The  whole  multitude  was  as  silent  as  the  ocean  in  a calm. 
Suddenly,  up  went  a great  outcry  that  seemed  to  shake  the  Heavens.  It  -was 
a cry  of  deep  satisfaction  and  ferocious  triumph.  The  vengeance  of  the  peo- 
ple were  satisfied,  and  their  appetite  for  the  horrible  sated.  The  vast  mass 
separated  into  fragments  amid  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  the  martial  sounds 
of  music,  and  poured  back  again  into  the  Streets  of  the  city. 

When  we  reached  the  Polacio,  Wordely  said  that  be  would  go  in  and  learn 
why  the  Captain-General  should  have  acted  so  deceitfully  ; for  we  deeply  re- 
gretted Rafael’s  terrible  end. 

The  governor  met  us  in  the  corridor.  He  advanced  towards  us  smiling. 
Wordley  returned  his  smile  with  a cold,  severe  expression. 

‘ Were  you  at  the  execution,  Senores  ?’  he  asked. 

‘ Yes,  but ’ began  Wordley,  with  atone  of  indignant  emotion. 

‘I  see  that  all  is  right,  then!  for  by  your  looks  you  come  to  accuse  me  of 
dishonoring  my  word!’ 

‘Most  certainly  I do  !’  answered  Wordley,  firmly. 

‘ If  you  have  been  deceived  then  all  has  gone  well,  and  I have  no  fears 
from  the  people.  If  you  think  you  have  seen  Don  Rafael  broken  on  the 
wheel  they  will  make  oath  that  they  have  seen  him  executed  !’ 

‘I  do  not  understand,  your  excellency,’  said  Wordley,  with  surprise. 

‘ Come  with  me !’  he  said,  with  a peculiar  manner. 

We  followed  him  along  the  corridor.  He  threw  open  the  door  of  an  inner 
room,  and  to  our  amazement  we  beheld  Rafael  reclining  upon  a sofa  and  look- 
ing very  much  improved  in  appearance  and  as  sound  in  limb  as  if  he  had 
never  been  near  wheel  or  rack. 

‘ There  you  see,  Senores  sits,  El  Saltador,’  said  the  Captain-General,  smil- 
ing. ‘ He  who  was  broken  on  the  rack  was  a condemned  criminal,  who  was 
to  have  suffered  next  Thursday.  It  was  necessary  for  the  peace  of  the  city 
that  some  one  should  die  upon  the  wheel,  and  so  I anticipated  this  criminal’s 
day  of  execution.  I had  him  clad  in  ‘ El  Saltador’s  garments,  and  as  his  eyes 
were  bandaged  the  deceit  could  not  be  easily  detected,  especially  as  no  one 
was  suspecting  such  a thing  as  a substitute.  You  see  I have  appeased  the 
people,  saved  Don  Rafael  and  kept  my  own  honor!’ 

A few  words  will  now  complete  the  story  of  the  Twice  condemned.  The 
third  day  after  the  Execution  of  the  pirates,  Rafael  was  conveyed  on  board  a 
Spanish  brig  which  an  hour  afterwards  set  sail  bound  for  New  Orleans.  As 


RAFAEL. 


47 


she  passed  near  our  quarter  on  leaving  the  harbor  Rafael  waved  his  hand  in 
adieu  ; and  then  turning  his  face  towards  the  city,  and  with  his  eye  probably 
fastened  upon  the  roof  of  the  palace  which  held  the  lovely  Spanish  maiden  to 
whom  he  owed  his  life,  and  with  whom  he  had  left  his  heart,  he  remained  in 
this  position  until  distance  rendered  his  person  no  longer  distinguishable. 

From  that  period  there  has  been  no  further  intelligence  of  him.  The  Cap- 
tain-General was  soon  after  superseded  and  returned  to  Spain  with  the  lovely 
Donna  Leonor  who  bore  with  her  to  the  golden  vales  of  Castille  a sad  and 
gentle  memory  of  the  youthful  buccaneer  whose  life  she  had  restored  to  him 
for  her  own. 

THE  END 


Sf/ 

J<S 

■ 


